A FORMER headteacher of Darlington High School has died at the age of 94.

Christine Jewsbury was head of the girls' school for 23 years, taking up the post in 1945.

She died on Saturday, in the Ventress Hall Nursing Home, Trinity Road, Darlington, after a short illness.

Miss Jewsbury, who was educated in London, took up her first teaching post in 1929, at Pendleton High School, Salford, Greater Manchester.

She later joined Nuneaton High School, in Warwickshire, and then became head of English at Levenshulme High School, Manchester.

Her interests included walking and looking after her cats.

Miss Jewsbury was also a member of various groups and spent almost ten years helping out with local meals on wheels services, through the WRVS.

Rosalind Gibson, who taught with Miss Jewsbury at the girls' high school, now Hummersknott comprehensive, said: "She was a most excellent headmistress who was deeply interested in all of the girls and who used to do everything she possibly could for them."

Miss Jewsbury, formerly of Uplands Road, Darlington, was known to keep in touch with many past pupils, and was renowned for her acts of kindness. Funeral details are expected to be announced soon.