A WELL known former dance teacher who ran a school in Accrington for more than four decades has died, aged 87.

Annie Clegg was best known for running Anne Cummings School of Dance from 1945 until she retired in 1989.

The great-grandmother, who died on March 31 at her home in Mapleford Nursing Home, Huncoat, will be remembered at a funeral service in Great Harwood tomorrow. (THURS) Mrs Clegg leaves behind her husband, Tony, brother Bill, children Jane, Anne, Anthony and Janet, grandchildren Claire, John, Jason, Peter, Elisa, Ana and David, and seven great-grandchildren.

Daughter Jane Mabbutt said: "She was a very keen person and passionate in her own beliefs.

"She was a big family woman and loved her children and her grandchildren very much.

"In the 1960s we were on Look North because we were home schooled, which was very unusual then.

"She would teach us in the day and then teach dance from 4pm.

"She will be sadly missed by her family and close friends who knew her."

Mrs Clegg was born in Accrington and went to Central School, after which she worked for the county court offices.

She went to London in 1939 to perform in musicals in London but returned home after the outbreak of the Second World War.

She decided to set up a dance school of her own in 1945, and Anne Cummings School of Dance was born.

Lessons first took place in the living room of her home in Water Street, Accrington, and later the school was based at the New Jerusalem Church in Manchester Road, the Liberal Club and later occupied the space above Tigerlillies in Accrington town centre, which is now Bailey's bar.

It later moved to the Conservative Club, which is where it stayed until Mrs Clegg's retirement in 1989.

Mrs Mabbutt said: "She loved ballet, tap and gymnastics most and she must have taught thousands of people over the years.

"She was always very well thought of and very popular among her pupils and ex-pupils."

Mrs Clegg married Tony, 93, a retired teacher at Norden High School, and the pair lived in Linden Avenue, Great Harwood, for more than 50 years.

They celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary last year.

In her retirement, Mrs Clegg went on to study at university and even wrote two books.

Mrs Mabbutt said: "When she retired she pursued a lifelong ambition of going to Lancaster University where she did a BA(Hons) and a PHD in philosophy.

"She was very busy all the time.

"She published two novels in 2008. She was a keen dancer but also a keen writer."

Mrs Clegg's funeral will take place at St Hubert's Church in Great Harwood tomorrow (THURS) from 10.30am.