EMOTIONAL tributes have been paid to a teacher who was found dead at her home in Blackburn.

Ann Waddington, 61, was discovered at a house in Dalby Crescent at around 2.45pm on Monday.

MORE TOP STORIES:

The Sacred Heart RC Primary School teacher was described as a 'much-loved mother, sister and friend to all' by her family.

“She will be missed by everyone whose lives she was a part of, especially the children she taught at Sacred Heart School in Blackburn."

“Her family wish to express their thanks to all Ann’s neighbours and friends for all of the help and support they have received at this difficult time.”

Sacred Heart RC Primary School headteacher said: "Ann was a valued and highly respected member of staff.

"She has worked at Sacred Heart RC Primary School since September 1999 and many of our present and former pupils will have fond memories of her.

"Her wisdom and experience will be missed and our thoughts and prayers are with Ann’s family at this time."

Police are treating the sudden death as unexplained but non-suspicious.

MORE TOP STORIES:

Police were called to the quiet residential street just before 3pm on Monday.

Neighbours described seeing around six police cars and a crime scene investigation van while a cordon was set up around the house.

Harry Waterworth, who was staying with friends in the street for the New Year, said he believed they had found a body in the garden.

“I came back from the Blackburn Rovers football match and saw a van outside.

“When I went out later, at around 6.30pm, there were three police vans and crime scene investigators.

“The neighbours were out and police were carrying out interviews.

“My friends have lived here since the house was built in 1967 and it is the first time there has been an incident like this.”

A neighbour said: “We just arrived home as the ambulance turned up, then there was all the police.

“They have been doing house-to-house enquiries.

“It is very sad because her husband died on New Year’s Eve about three years ago.

“We knew her to say ‘hello’ to. She kept herself to herself but always said ‘hello’.

“It is a quiet crescent and is not normal to see police here.”

Another resident said: “I knew her as a neighbour. There are quite a few elderly people living on this street and we all keep an eye out for each other.

“We were friendly. We are all friendly neighbours and keep watch for each other. It has come as a shock to everyone. It is very very sad.

“We both moved into the street at the same time - about 14 years ago.

“She lived on her own. A lot of us do so we watch out for each other and tell each other if we are concerned.”

She said she returned from doing her shopping to see the ambulance, police cars and vans and a cordon.

“I saw her the day before, opening the curtains, but I did notice her light was on when I went to bed that night and still on when I woke up at about 4am. “When I went out just before 1pm I noticed the curtains were still shut which I thought was unusual.”

Another neighbour added: “She was a friend of my wife’s. We don’t know what happened. We are in shock.”