STAFF and pupils at a Kent school are mourning the loss of a teacher who was passionate about her job.

Bridget Betts, who managed key stage one work at Godinton primary school in Ashford, has died from cancer. She was 46.

Pupils and teachers plan to mark her life at the school with a living garden which will be created next to the playground. Headteacher Bruce Beaney said: "Bridget was passionate about teaching and this passion was reflected in every child she taught.

"She believed that education should be fun and that children, especially the very young, learned best if they were happy. The atmosphere in her classrooms truly reflected the philosophy."

Mrs Betts taught three to eight-year-olds during her five years at the school. At least two parents had nominated her for the Teacher of the Year award before her death last week.

Mrs Betts's husband, David, also died from cancer and she was left to look after his 10-year-old son.

Teachers and pupils have been planning the living garden in Mrs Betts's memory for some time. Parents have been helping in the efforts to raise the £2,500 total needed to pay for the garden which Mr Beaney hopes to get started over the summer.

Mr Beaney added: "We had hoped that Bridget would be able to come and open the garden for us, but when we knew that she wouldn't be able to do that, we told her about the plan.

"Originally it was going to be a surprise for her, but I know that she would have liked it."