AN EUXTON teacher died two days after being diagnosed with a brain tumour.

Clare Whittle, 27, has been described by family as caring and loving person who touched the hearts of everyone she met.

And colleagues said she was a passionate teacher dedicated to her pupils.

Clare was diagnosed with the tumour by medics at Royal Preston Hospital on September 1, and died there two days later, surrounded by her parents Ian and Ann, and younger sister Sarah.

Her death came two days before she was going to welcome new reception children to Cedars Infant School in Blackburn.

Clare had joined the school in April this year having spent five years at St James’ Primary in Oozebooth Terrace, Blackburn.

Speaking from their family home in Euxton, Clare's parents and sister Sarah said the infants teacher touched the hearts of everyone she met.

Sarah described how days before her death she had been busy preparing her classroom for the new reception children.

As the new term approached Clare had been cleaning and making cushions for the classroom to create a nurturing environment for the school's younger children.

Sarah said: “It was a huge shock to us all.

“Clare was a really loving person who was so dedicated to her job. She just loved children.”

Kathryn Forsyth, a friend and former colleague at St James’ Primary, said Clare was a “passionate and caring” teacher.

Kathryn, a year two teacher at the school, said: “She was very hard working and dedicated to the children.

“She had a great career ahead of herself and we are all so shocked by the news.”

Clare was a talented musician, playing the flute, guitar, saxophone and piccolo.

She studied music and teaching for her degree at St Martins College in Lancaster and once sang at a Papal audience in Rome with the Cecelia Choir.

She co-ordinated all of the music curriculum at St James’ when she was there.

Friends have created a Facebook group to pay tribute to Clare, where they describe her warmth and kindness.

Many said she was an inspiration with a cheerful smile.

Sarah said: “She always had time for her friends.

“Some people leave school and lose touch but Clare was the one who brought everybody together. She cared about everybody and she’d always do the little things.”

Mum Ann added: “She was so thoughtful. She would never say anything bad about anybody.”

Clare's funeral will be held on Friday at St George's Parish Church in Chorley at 1.45pm.

Donations will be given to a children's charity and the critical care unit at Royal Preston Hospital.