AN ‘inspirational’ teacher described as ‘the best’ has been found dead at her home.

Claire Addington, 40, who worked at Colne’s SS John Fisher and Thomas More High School, was discovered by her husband Gavin after taking the day off to recover from a virus.

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The religious education teacher’s ‘sudden and unexpected’ death has been a ‘tremendous shock’ to staff and pupils at the school.

Mrs Addington, mum to six-year-old Grace, was described as a ‘loving and compassionate’ person by her husband, who is an assistant headteacher at the Gibfield Road school.

Scores of her pupils posted on Facebook to pay heartfelt tributes to their ‘best teacher’.

Mr Addington, 40, of Hayfields, Barnoldswick, said: “She was a compassionate person, very positive and vibrant. She would do anything to help people.

“As a school teacher she was someone the children would go to for support. Whoever you were, her door was always open.

“She was very passionate about the kids, about them doing their best and being well-rounded people. She made them feel special.

“That was part of her personality. She had a contagious, bubbly personality. She would always be smiling.

“She had an incredible bunch of friends. She touched hundreds of people’s lives. She made you feel special because she was completely non-judgemental. She would make you feel welcome and supported.

“She inspired me. She gave me strength, passion and positiveness. She was vibrant and positive and would never allow me to wallow.”

A dedicated Roman Catholic, Mrs Addington, who grew up in Preston, had strong connections to the community and attended Sacred Heart Church in Colne on Sundays.

She started teaching at Fisher More in 2002, where she met her husband who started in 2004.

The couple celebrated getting married at the Calf’s Head in Worston in 2008.

Mr Addington said: “We loved going on holiday together and would spend our summers in Spain. Claire loved the heat.

“She is one of those people that you always remember. When we go back to Spain people would always recognise her.

“She was just an amazing person. I was very blessed to have known her.”

As well as her husband and daughter, Mrs Addington leaves behind her parents Jo and Joe Sweeney and three brothers Mark, Ben and Daniel.

Friends have set up the hashtag #acandleandprayerforclaire on Facebook because of her love of candles.

Mr Addington said: “I want to thank everyone for their messages.

“Claire would want people to continue to be positive, vibrant and to enjoy life.”

Clare Hayes, headteacher at Fisher More, paid tribute to the popular and caring teacher.

She said: “Everyone at school, including staff, parents and pupils, are extremely upset.

“Claire was a greatly valued member of our staff and was well-loved by us all, but especially by the children.

“Claire had a very caring and positive attitude to everyone, with a bright and bubbly personality.

“She always had a smile on her face and spoke highly of everyone around her, as they did of her.

“We will miss her enormously at school. All our thoughts and prayers are with her family at this very sad time.”

Pupils and colleagues past and present took to Facebook to speak of their grief and shock.

Jamaal Iqbal said: “It has taken me two days to find the right words.

“Mrs Addington was warm, caring, loving and kind-hearted.

“She always put people above and before herself.

“She never let her past problems get the better of her. She never took anything for granted and she appreciated everything.

“She was a cherished daughter, a loved wife, an adored mother, a valued colleague, a treasured friend and an admired teacher. She will live on in our memories and in our hearts. Rest in peace, Claire.”

Leah Swindlehurst said: “RIP Mrs Addington. You were the best teacher at Fisher More. You were a warm thoughtful women and God just had to take you too early. Thoughts go out to the friends and family at this awful time.”

Leon Goode said: “Such sad news finding out about the nicest teacher ever passing. RIP Mrs Addington, you was the nicest most caring teacher ever.

“Thank you for everything you did for me throughout school.”

A date has not yet been set for the funeral.

The family plan to ask for donations to charity Friends of Serenity, which supports newly bereaved parents, an organisation close to Mrs Addington’s heart.