A FORMER deputy head of The Chase high school in Malvern has died, aged 80.

Sylvia Jones will be remembered by the hundreds of pupils she taught over the years.

Her brother Ralph Simms said: "It was quite an experience to walk with her through the streets of Malvern, or to go somewhere for a meal, because there would always be someone coming up and saying 'I don't know if you remember me, Mrs Jones . . .'

"People who were taught by her had children who were taught by her. Teachers touch a lot of lives and Sylvia obviously knew a lot of people."

A native of St Albans, Mrs Jones graduated from Goldsmiths College, London, before going into teaching. Her subject was English, and she was head of department at the school for many years before becoming deputy head.

She lived in the same house in Richmond Road, Malvern Link, for some 40 years, only leaving there about eight years ago after her husband Bill, who had been a teacher of special needs children, died. Following their retirement from teaching, the couple ran an antique shop in Bromyard for several years.

Peter Renger, deputy head of The Chase, said Mrs Jones was a stalwart of the school with very high professional standards.

Former head Frank Mullinger said: "I knew her well for 14 years. She was a very good teacher who always pulled her weight."

A funeral service will take place at St Matthias' Church, Malvern Link, on Friday, September 30, at 2.30pm.