TRIBUTES have been paid to a “popular and much-loved” teacher who has died aged 54.

Janet Patricia Norris was in the East Lancashire Hospice when she lost her three-and-a-half year battle with cancer.

She lived with her husband, Nigel, and two daughters, Kate and Liz, in Buckingham Drive, Read and taught at Whittlefield Primary School, Burnley, for 18 years.

Nigel said: “Janet was very family oriented and loved children. She was extremely popular.”

Her funeral took place on Monday at Whalley Parish Church followed by a celebration of her life at Whalley Abbey.

She also leaves parents Bernard and Marjorie Etches, of Whalley, and her brother, Michael.