TRIBUTES have been paid to Stourport High School's head of maths, who has died, aged 52.

Gaynor Kane was "an inspiration" during her seven years' service, a statement from the school said.

Mrs Kane died on Christmas Eve after a short battle with lung cancer.

She joined the Minster Road school in September, 1997 and "immediately became a very valued and respected member of the mathematics department", the statement said.

It went on: "Gaynor is remembered as a consummate professional, who gave up a great deal of time to help students get the best results possible.

"Many students, in the book of condolence, record how helpful she was to them as a tutor and as a teacher. She was head of the mathematics department for two years and raised results for all students dramatically in that time, establishing a high quality of teaching and learning, which has helped the department to become one of the best in the county."

Mrs Kane originally came from the south east but moved to Kidderminster to be near her father.

The statement said Mrs Kane was "often visited by students and teachers because of her quiet and firm skills in teaching students and the ability that she had to strike right to the heart of what makes students learn.

"She was a quiet and modest teacher who had a large number of close friends on the staff. She was an inspiration and will be greatly missed."

Her funeral took place on Tuesday.