A RETIRED teacher from Knutsford has drowned on holiday. Norma Borritt's body was found in a lagoon in Turkey where she had been staying with her partner John.

Last week son Simon wrote to friends in Knutsford to inform them of his mum's death.

"She was by a lagoon when her partner went away for a few moments," said Beulah Cornes, of Firtree Avenue.

"When he came back she wasn't there."

Norma, who was in her 60s, will be cremated tomorrow (Thursday) in Norwich. Turkish authorities had delayed the release of her body until last week for legal reasons. Her sons, former Knutsford High School students Simon and Jamie, were both flying back to England from their homes in France yesterday.

On Monday High School teacher Jan Chambers said Norma had been an inspiration to children at Mobberley Primary School.

"If they had Mrs Borritt they knew they would do well," she said.

"She was a good disciplinarian, but good fun as well."

At summer and Christmas her car was always full of chocolates and flowers from grateful children.

She eventually became deputy head teacher at the much larger Woolston Primary School in Warrington.

"Norma was an inspirational teacher and very lively," said Mrs Chambers.

"She was always going on courses so that she could keep up-to-date with what was going on in teaching."

Norma, formerly of Woodside and Valley Way, Knutsford, used to prepare the teas for cricketers at Knutsford Sports Club where she was also a social member.

She played competitive badminton at Knutsford Leisure Centre and will also be remembered as a member of the Tatton branch of the Labour Party.

It is believed Norma, who moved to Norwich when she retired about eight years ago, had recently become a grandmother for at least the third time.

Friends remember her as a glamorous woman who loved to shop and be seen in the latest fashions.

Mrs Chambers, deputy head teacher at Knutsford High, said Norma was not afraid to clash with friends over her socialist views. "Norma had very forthright views and was a true socialist," she

said. "She was a real firebrand with lots of energy."

Norma will be cremated at 10.15am at St Faith's Crematorium in Norwich.