A RETIRED Darlington teacher has died, aged 87.

Muriel Iles lived all her life in Darlington, where she worked as a Sunday school teacher and as secretary at the town's Darlington and Simpson Rolling Mills and Polam Hall School.

She went on to teach shorthand to reporters at The Northern Echo, and worked at The Immaculate Conception School and what is now Carmel RC Technology College.

She met her husband, George, when she was 18, and they married seven years later.

After Mr Iles returned from war service, the couple lived together for 40 years until Mr Iles died while on holiday.

After retiring, Mrs Iles continued her education, gaining French AS-level at 80.

She was frequently stopped around the town by pupils she had taught during her long career.

She was also a member of the Women's Guild and a regular churchgoer.

Mrs Iles sister, Pat, said: She was a very family-orientated person and loved spending time with all her relations."

She leaves a daughter Barbara, a son Christopher, daughter-in-law Margaret and grandchildren Sarah and Kate."

A funeral service will be held at Holy Trinity Church, Darlington, at 12.30pm today, followed by private cremation.