PUPILS at a Suffolk school have paid a moving tribute to an “inspirational” teacher who died suddenly following a long battle with cancer.English teacher Shelley Baisden, 23, died on March 16, only two years after her mother also lost her battle with the disease.

PUPILS at a Suffolk school have paid a moving tribute to an “inspirational” teacher who died suddenly following a long battle with cancer.

English teacher Shelley Baisden, 23, died on March 16, only two years after her mother also lost her battle with the disease.

Miss Baisden, who taught at Great Cornard Upper School and Technology College had been fighting the illness for two years and was putting the finishing touches to her spring wedding when she collapsed at home in Haverhill.

Great Cornard pupil Ashleigh Smith said Miss Baisden had made a considerable impact at the school despite only arriving in September as a newly qualified teacher.

She said: “I just want to say how much we all miss her and how she touched our lives. Miss Baisden was a very well liked teacher - she was a bold, courageous and extremely talented.

“We all loved her fashion sense and we will miss her beautiful smile most of all. We are very grateful to have known Miss Baisden for the short time we did and she will never be forgotten.

“She is my guardian angel and my role model. She will be deeply missed by everyone at school.”

Speaking in Thursday's EADT Miss Baisden's fiancé William Brindle told of his loss and of their wedding plans together.

He said: “It devastates me that we will not get to live out our dream. I will love her forever.”

Her father Kevin Baisden said his “special” daughter had fulfilled her dream of becoming a teacher against the odds of poor health and family tragedy.

“She fought her own illness but was determined to live her own life.

“I am extremely proud of her - even in her short career she was well respected. Her mum would have been very proud of her and they are together now.”

Mike Foley, Great Cornard Upper School headteacher, said he had lost a vital member of his staff.

“She was a very courageous young woman and we are deeply saddened by this news. She was a very popular member of staff and highly respected by all her colleagues.”

Miss Baisden's funeral will take place on Thursday, March 29, at St Andrew's Church in Hornchurch, Essex.