Candlelit vigil for murdered teacher

Dozens of friends and former pupils of a retired school teacher found murdered at her riverside cottage have staged a candlelit vigil to pay their respects to her memory.

More than 60 people gathered yesterday to lay flowers and place candles on a bridge near the home of 77-year-old Betty Yates, who was found dead on Wednesday in north Worcestershire.

Former colleagues of the much-loved pensioner – who was described as “everyone’s favourite teacher” – also took part in the vigil close to a police cordon which remains in place around her home.

In a statement issued by West Mercia Police yesterday, the son and daughter of Mrs Yates spoke of their shock and sadness at her murder and described her as “vivacious, independent and popular”.

They added: “We do not understand why or how anybody could have done this.”