Tributes have been paid to a woman who worked for 35 years in the schools system in Aylsham, despite losing her hearing at the age of seven.

Lynette Rust, who died aged 91, was passionately interested in people of all ages.

Her daughter Mary-Jayne Rust said she would be remembered for her work in schools, the church and the WI, as well as her kindness in welcoming people into the Aylsham community, which was so important to her.

She was chairman of governors of Aylsham Nursery School as well as a governor of Aylsham Middle School where she went weekly to help and listen to children read.

Born in Leicester to John and Dorothy Hirst she was educated at Leicester Grammar and King's College, London University where she graduated in Biochemistry, Physiology and Social Sciences.

Her daughter said: 'This was a remarkable achievement given that she lost her hearing after measles aged seven, and then nearly lost her life to septicaemia before the days of penicillin, escaping with a damaged left leg.'

After university she worked in the research lab at Reckitt & Colman in Norwich where she met miller Ben Rust. They began their married life running a small market garden in Brandiston.

However, with young children, and a passion for community, they moved into Aylsham where Mr Rust and his father worked for the family milling business.

In the 1950s, Mrs Rust and her friend Dr Molly Richards set up the Norfolk and Norwich branch of the British Federation of Women Graduates . Her daughter Mary-Jayne Rust added: 'She had a great love of literature and enjoyed the BFWG book group.

'In later years she suffered from macular degeneration which stole her great love of gardening, flower arranging, reading, cooking and sewing; worse she could no longer see peoples' faces which was particularly hard for her.

'In her final two weeks she was struggling with confusion and memory loss after having several strokes.

'She dozed peacefully most of the time, making poignant reflections such as 'Life is so interesting' and 'All's well that ends well'.'

She died on March 7 and is survived by her husband Ben, her three children Jo, Sara and Mary-Jayne and her four grandchildren.