'An intelligent, witty, independent modern woman, who inspired many others' tributes to a well-known Harborough teacher who has died aged 87

Tributes have been paid to a popular teacher from Harborough who has died at the age of 87.

Dorothy Foulds was known to many in the town for teaching history for many years at Market Harborough Grammar School, which later became Robert Smyth School, and is known today as Robert Smyth Academy.

She passed away peacefully away at home on Wednesday January 13.

Dorothy, a graduate of Leeds University, has been described by those close to her as "an intelligent, witty, independent modern woman, who inspired many others".

A tribute piece by those close to her read: "Many of you will have been either been inspired or terrified by Dorothy, her reputation as a brilliant historian and a formidable presence remain with many of her former pupils today.

"In her retirement she pursued her passions of gardening and Labradors.

"A huge thank you goes to the team of carers at Blue Ribbon who did a fantastic job of enabling Dorothy to remain at home.

"Her wishes were for no fuss! Just a private cremation and no flowers.

"If you wish to remember her, she requested a donation to be made to a Dog charity."