Tributes have been paid to a BBC producer who encouraged schoolchildren to pick up their test tubes and light their Bunsen burners to learn science.

Robin Gwyn, 65, from Shenley, died following a long battle with chronic lymphatic leukaemia in November, which was diagnosed more than 12 years ago.

He was born in Hampstead in 1942, but moved to Shenley in 1985 while working at BBC Elstree studios in Borehamwood, and later served as chairman of the Shenley Park Trust.

His wife, Jane, said: "He was always busy working on something but he was so supportive with everything concerning both his family and his work.

"He committed himself to whatever he did."

Between 1974 and 1983, Mr Gwyn worked as a departmental producer at Elstree and other central London BBC studio sites.

In 1983, he became a senior producer and created science programmes for primary schools including The Brunel Experience, a show based on the work of British engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel.

He later became a training instructor at the corporation and taught potential producers how to create and edit television programmes.

Friend John Baines said: "We met in the early 1970s when we both became trustees of the Pictorial Charts Educa-tional Trust, a charity that produces wallcharts for schools.

"What I think he did well as a producer was he tried to make the subject of science interesting and exciting for children.

"He had wonderful skills in editing and not only did he have great ideas for the shows, but he also often directed the programmes as well."

In later years, Mr Gwyn, who had seven children, took on many community roles in the Shenley area, including chairman of the park trust, governor at Shenley JMI Primary School, in London Road, and also lighting advisor for Radlett Players and Shenley Drama Group.

Mr Baines added: "He always wanted to be doing things and he thoroughly enjoyed everything he did.

"He was very interested in acting and singing, so that was why he involved himself with drama societies.

"It was always good to talk to him as he was a very stimulating conversationalist who always had very interesting views."

Chairman of Shenley parish council, Denise O'Connor, said: "Robin went about all his work quietly and didn't blow his own trumpet.

"He was an incredibly intelligent man and an all round good person."