STAFF and pupils have paid tribute to a former Leigh teacher who has died.

They were among the 200 strong congregation which packed St Luke's Church, Lowton, for a service for Mrs Marian Scoffam, who ended her long career at Wigan's Deanery High School.

Mrs Scoffam, who taught English and drama there for 11 years, died suddenly in Wigan Infirmary a day after developing pancreatitis. She was 62.

Mrs Scoffam was a former pupil of Ashton Grammar School and after teacher training at Homerton College Cambridge took up her first post at Culcheth Secondary Modern School.

Main subjects

She later moved to Leigh CE Primary and Westleigh High School and spent some time in Newcastle teaching, along with her main subjects, history, music, gardening, PE and needlework.

The Deanery choir sang at last week's service at which head teacher, Mr Roger Mallows, said: "Her sudden and unexpected death came as a shock to us all. We give thanks for her many gifts and for the years of faithful teaching in a school she loved so much."

School chaplain, the Rev Paul Lock, said: "She had a particular gift for engaging some of the most difficult pupils and bringing out the best in them."

Mrs Scoffham, who was divorced, had many hobbies including stitchcraft, cooking and taking adventurous holidays abroad with fellow teachers, visiting countries including China, America and Russia.

She leaves a daughter, Emma.