An admired former PE teacher who was a "great friend to many students" took his own life, a coroner's court heard.

Colin Foley, a teacher at Glyn School in Ewell between 1993 and 2013, was found hanged in his home by police after a friend raised concern for his safety.

The 60-year-old from Hersham died on January 28 this year, and police, who ruled out foul play or third party involvement, found notes describing his intention to take his own life.

A spokesman for Glyn School said: "During his 20 years at Glyn, Colin contributed greatly to the sporting success of a large number of students, becoming a great friend to many students, as well as a teacher.

"His popularity was reflected in the large number of heartfelt messages of condolence that we received the days after his passing."

The court heard his GP at Hersham Surgery was shocked Mr Foley had died, and said a recent blight to his health was a diagnosis of prostate cancer.

Mr Foley would have been 61 on Sunday and had been on track to become a badminton champion before he died.

A website which sees pupils rate their teachers has him at five stars.

One commenter said: "So proud to say you taught me what I know. Not just a PE teacher. Taught me how to be a disciplined and proud person.

"Owe a lot to him. RIP."

Students also took to Twitter to praise their former teacher.

One Twitter user said: "Was an amazing teacher! Always could put a smile on anyone's face! Will be missed."

Darren Talbot, Lions team manager at England Cricket Association for the Deaf, paid tribute to Mr Foley on his public Facebook page earlier this year in April.

He said: "Very sad to have just heard about the recent death of my first PE teacher Colin Foley.

"He was an early sporting inspiration to me and no doubt my eventual choice of career came from seeds sown with him back in the early 1980s. A sad loss, far too young.

Yesterday assistant coroner Dr Karin Englehart said at Woking Coroners' Court: "Mr Foley took his own life. I do extend my condolences to everyone who knew him."

Mr Foley’s funeral was held at St Peter’s Church in Hersham and his family asked all donations to be made to Cancer Research.