THE life of a Cumbrian artists who taught at one of the world's most prestigious art colleges is being celebrated by his family following his death.

Edward Allington, who was born in Troutbeck Bridge, died in London on September 21.

He had worked as a professional sculptor, as well as reaching the heights of professor of sculpture at Slade School of Fine Art.

Born in 1951, Mr Allington as a keen artists from a young age, painting for people in the village as a child, and being recognised for his talents by teachers at the Lakes School when he was a teenager.

He was the first person at the school to achieve grade one in technical drawing at the school.

He then went on to study at Lancaster College of Art, London Central School of Art and Design and the Royal College of Art.

As a sculptor, he was identified with the British object sculptors of the 1980s, including Anish Kapoor and Bill Woodrow.

Edward’s work has been exhibited widely in America, Japan and throughout Europe and is represented in major public, private and corporate collections, including the Arts Council, Tate, Henry Moore Institute, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and The British Museum.

He also completed major public and private commissions in the UK, Germany and France.

While working at the Slade, he taught Turner Prize nominees Angela De La Cruz, Tomoko Takahashi, Meekyoung Shin and Conrad Shawcross.

Edward's brother Stuart Allington said: "Edward was quite outstanding from a young age. He was a prodigy really.

"I will always remember he had a great sense of humour. He liked things satirical, so he loved Monty Python and The Goons.

"His family were very important to him as well. His partner died 15 years ago, so he brought up his daughter Thalia and son Harry while holding down the job at the Slade.

"He was always very attached to Cumbria as well. Our grandad Harry Hewitson lived in Troutbeck Bridge still, and a big part of Ed's life was going up to visit him.

"Ed had a recording of our grandfather speaking in the broadest Westmorland dialect.

"Our father was a plumber and out mother worked at the bobbin factory in Staveley. For him to become a professor at the Slade is quite remarkable. I must say we are very proud of him."

Outside of art Edward loved motorbikes, and Stuart recalled coming home as a child to find his brother taking apart an engine on the kitchen floor.

Edward Allington died on Thursday September 21, and leaves behind his partner Asako, and his children Thalia and Harry.

In a tribute published online, Professor Susan Collins, director of the Slade, and Gary Woodley, UCL lecturer and artist, wrote: "His contribution to contemporary art and to sculpture in particular was profound. His generosity, wit and wisdom touched and influenced all of us who were privileged enough to know, work with or be taught by him."