TRIBUTES have been paid to a primary school teacher.

Maureen McPartland, who taught the upper infants class at All Saints' RC Primary School, in Lanchester, died last Thursday.

The 58-year-old, who lived in Willowtree Avenue, in Gilesgate Moor, Durham City, had been battling cancer.

Headteacher Tony Reather said the school was finding it difficult to celebrate Christmas with enthusiasm following the news.

"Maureen was an extremely dedicated and talented teacher who spent most of her teaching career helping the children of All Saints'.

"As well as being an excellent literacy, geography and PE co-ordinator for many years, she also ran the netball team, took the older children on residential visits to Richmond and had a real flair for dance and movement work with the pupils.

"Moreover, Maureen was a genuinely lovely person, compassionate, thoughtful and caring, and she bore her illness with great courage and faith. She will be greatly missed by us all."

A funeral service will be held tomorrow at St Joseph's RC Church, in Gilesgate, followed by burial at South Road Cemetery. Donations to Macmillan Cancer Relief or Cafod.

Mrs McPartland leaves her husband, Mike, who lectures in education at the School of Education in Durham, and four children, Matthew, Katie, Ben and Lucy.