Tributes have been paid to “a true legend” who taught hundreds of dancers in Shepway and was part of the district’s dance community for more than 35 years.

Roz Wilson, who has died aged 63, first joined Studio Six school in 1981 and took over running the school in 2003. She has been described as an “inspirational icon to hundreds of students”.

The mother-of-three, who lived with her husband in Hawkinge, had been fighting breast cancer but lost her 12-year battle on Saturday, June 17.

Laura Gibson, who ran Studio Six with Mrs Wilson for the past 15 years, described her friend and colleague as “a true legend”.

She said: “She was my best friend and has touched so many people and childrens’ lives, she was a true legend.

“She didn’t let it [cancer] faze her, continuing to teach dance and be the life and soul. She was a huge inspiration to us all.”

Mrs Wilson’s daughter, Scarlett, said: “She loved nothing more than seeing students fulfil their dreams and ambitions.

“Her legacy will live on through her wild nature and hippy spirit she imprinted on all of her students and everyone she met.”

Born in Welling, south east London in 1953, Roz was the youngest child of parents James and May Mellish.

She first came to Folkestone with the girls’ brigade in the late 1960s and fell in love with the town. After finishing school she came back with her close friend, Sue Peeper and the pair got jobs as chambermaids at the Grand.

It was there she had her first brush with dancing in Folkestone, entering a competition which she won and it kicked off her career as a resident dancer.

She went on to appear regularly at many of the town’s nightspots including Stones, where she met her future husband. She leaves Roger, whom she married in 1977, and their three children Raoul, Roxy and Scarlett.

She joined Studio Six in 1981 as a dancer, taking part in shows, competitions and festivals introducing her children to dancing and passing on her love for the art.

As well as her involvement with the dance school - based at St Martin’s Community Centre in Cheriton - Mrs Wilson began working with FHODS (Folkestone and Hythe Operatic and Dramatic Society) as a choreographer working on productions such as Carousel, My Fair Lady, Oliver – starring as Nancy – and Fiddler on the Roof.

Alongside her love for dance she was a popular face as manager of the Pizza Hut restaurant in Folkestone.

A celebration of her life will be held at the Channel Suite at the Leas Cliff Hall on Tuesday, July 4, following a service at Barham Crematorium at 12.40pm.