TRIBUTES have been paid to an "incredibly special" Bury teacher who died in October.

Christine Alexander died aged 69 on October 11 and had worked for The Derby High School in Bury for nearly 40 years.

Mrs Alexander taught several subjects over the years, but took a keen interest in art and providing support for young people.

On the day of her funeral, Wednesday, October 21, staff and students from the Derby High School lined the streets to pay their respects to Mrs Alexander.

Now, her son and colleagues have paid tribute to her, with one even creating a portrait of her.

Her son, Karl, said: "She never got angry and she never shouted. She had a lot of mental strength throughout her life.The outpouring of tributes we have seen from friends and colleagues has meant an incredible amount to me and my sister.

"I am just so incredibly proud of my mother for what she achieved throughout her life."

Teachers from the school have paid tribute to Mrs Alexander, with one teacher, Ms Barton, painting a touching tribute portrait.

The Derby High School headteacher, Helen Hubert, said: “Christine Alexander has been at The Derby High School since 1982. Her first post was as a Teacher of Art and Craft. She was passionate about education and undertook a number of qualifications securing a Diploma in Education, another in Careers Education and a Masters in Multicultural Education. .

"The world has lost someone incredibly special; a good and kind person. She was someone we all admired and she has touched so many hearts. Mrs Alexander will be much missed at The Derby High School and with all those who knew her.

"Mrs Alexander’s memory undoubtedly lives on through the work she has done at The Derby High School. Over the coming weeks and months, we will be considering ways in which we can recognise her tremendous contribution to our school community. It was a life well lived. If we can all take a little bit of Christine’s example into our daily lives we will all be the better for it.”