STAFF and pupils at a village primary school are in mourning today after their much-loved headteacher died following a short and brave battle against cancer.

STAFF and pupils at a village primary school are in mourning today after their much-loved headteacher died following a short and brave battle against cancer.

Ann Winning, 49, headteacher at Thurston Primary School, died after a five-month fight against the illness.

Tributes have now poured in for the teacher, who will be greatly missed within the local community.

She had taught in Suffolk, mainly in the Bury St Edmunds area, since 1980 and was a popular and highly-regarded teacher.

Mrs Winning became deputy headteacher at Guildhall Feoffment in 1997 before moving to her post at Thurston in January 2003.

Rosemary Carter, acting headteacher at Thurston Primary School, said: "Ann Winning was a much loved and well-respected leader of our school community.

"She always had the best interests of staff and pupils at heart and was totally dedicated to her role. She will be greatly missed by us all."

Nicola Rawcliffe, chair of governors at the School, said: "The governing body is deeply saddened by the death of Ann Winning.

"She has made a lasting impression on our school community with her innovative and creative style for which we are extremely grateful."

She leaves a husband, Stephen, who is deputy head at Horringer Court Middle School, a son, Josh, and a daughter, Jess.

Last night, Tom Scherb, Suffolk County Council's western area education officer, said: "She was a gem of a person who put heart and soul into her work.

"More than anything, she was a mentor and teacher of children, whom she loved, and was a very positive professional, always open-minded about new ideas and how they could improve children's education.

"She was greatly admired, and her death is a sad loss to us."