There has been an outpouring of grief following the death of an ex-primary school headteacher at the age of 50.
Melanie Ravenscroft was head teacher at St Aidan's CE Primary School in St Helens until Christmas 2020, when she took early retirement.
She had been based at the the local authority-run school in Billinge for a total of 14 years.
Mrs Ravenscroft passed away at Willowbrook Hospice on Sunday, May 2.
Staff, pupils, families and the wider community of the school have all paid tribute to her, while more than 85 heartfelt condolences have been left on a page set up in her honour.
The page talks about how Mrs Ravenscroft "dedicated her life to helping others" and "touched the lives of so many little people and their families".
Many of the tributes described her as a caring, supporting and inspirational individual, who went above and beyond for those in school.
While she was at the helm, St Aidan's won the Most Inspirational Primary School award in 2018, by far one of her proudest moments.
A statement issued on behalf of the school by St Helens council said: "Flower tributes have been left at the school by parents and pupil past and present and any donations are to be made to Willowbrook Hospice in her name.
"Mrs Ravenscroft had previously worked at Eccleston Mere Primary School and Evelyn Primary School. She also spent time at Newton Primary School and at Sherdley Primary School. In addition, she worked as an English consultant for St Helens local authority.
"The pupils and staff at St Aidan's CE Primary school will miss her dearly but there are many ways in which her legacy will live on within the life of school and community."
