TRIBUTES have been paid to former home school liaison teacher Anne Hooper who died of heart disease at the age of 80.

Popular Mrs Hooper worked at Hawbush Primary School, but for many years was also a teacher on the children's ward at Corbett Hospital.

Her daughter Carolyn Hooper said: "Mum used to teach children who were too ill to go to school. She used to give individual lessons at their bedside.

"Mum also visited children in their homes. She covered some deprived areas, especially in the 1970s; some of the children she visited didn't even have a pair of shoes."

Long-time friend Eiddwen Lowe, who was a nursery school teacher at Hawbush, said: "Anne was originally from Liverpool and had a strong scouse accent and sense of humour.

"She was what I would describe as a solid person. She was exactly the same when speaking to a school inspector, teacher or a three-year-old child, which is a great quality to have. "Anne was always generous in her time and thought.

"Her husband Brian was a teacher at Buckpool School in Wordsley. They made a great team and were very well-known in the area.

"They were both passionate Liverpool Football Club supporters, season ticket holders and would travel to every game. It always went down well here when most people are either Wolves or West Bromwich Albion supporters.

"Anne organised parent and toddler groups but she also ran a slimming club which was legendary. I don't think a great deal of slimming was done. It was more like a social club for the women who attended. A chance to escape for two hours every week."

Anne, who died on November 12, lived in Hyperion Road, Stourton, until 2001 and then moved to Stratford-upon-Avon after Brian died suddenly.

Her celebration of her life will take place at St Gregory's Catholic Church in Welcombe Road, Stratford, next Tuesday December 2 at midday; and she will later be laid to rest in Kinver next to her husband.