AN inquest has been opened into the death of a respected headteacher who is believed to have killed herself.

Mother-of-five Nassim Akhtar, 40, was found dead in the back seat of her burnt-out Toyota Previa people carrier just off Burnley Road, Altham, on Thursday night.

Mrs Akhtar, of Mayville Road, Brierfield, had been suspended from her job at a primary school in Manchester and is believed to have killed herself after getting depressed over money worries.

At the inquest opening coroner Michael Singleton said that the teacher was identified by her brother Mohammed Rafique and by her fingerprints.

A post mortem examination has been completed which showed that Mrs Akhtar died of smoke inhalation but results from further tests have yet to be returned. Mrs Atkhtar was a former deputy head at Bradley Primary School in Nelson and a former teacher at Walter Street Primary School, Brierfield, where her three eldest children are pupils.

She took over as headteacher at Cheetwood Community Primary School, Cheetham, Manchester, in September and was suspended by education bosses three weeks ago as part of an investigation into "management issues" at the school.

Mrs Akhtar leaves husband Jameel Akhtar, 27, and children Aamina, 11, Haleema, seven, Sabina, six, Qamar, two, and seven-month-old Falaq.

Her friends and family have paid tribute to her, describing her as a "dedicated and inspirational woman".

Husband Jameel told how his wife's last words to him were "I'm going for a drive. I'll be back soon."

Sister Nasreen Din said she was a "wonderful sister"

Brother Mohammad Rafique said her heart was in teaching and that the family did not know why it had happened.

The inquest was adjourned until March.