PUPILS at a Darlington school said an emotional farewell to a former teacher yesterday.

Youngsters from Polam Hall School sang the song Any Dream Will Do, from the musical Joseph and The Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, at the funeral of Valerie Lawson.

Mrs Lawson, who lived in School Aycliffe, near Newton Aycliffe, died in hospital last Sunday after a long battle against cancer. The 56-year-old taught at Polam Hall School for 28 years.

She became deputy headteacher at the junior school, before being forced to retire from her post last year because of ill health.

Pupils, staff, friends and family gathered at St Michael's Church, Heighington, yesterday for Mrs Lawson's funeral.

Her husband, Terry, told The Northern Echo that she will be greatly missed by everyone, including her two Rottweiler dogs Heidi and Benson.

"We didn't have a family, so the dogs were like her children and she was a familiar sight walking with them in Heighington," he said.

"Val was a good teacher and the letters I have received from her pupils since her death have been beautiful."