A SEDGLEY teacher has been voted as the best in the Black Country, following a social media campaign by intu Merry Hill.

Pat Jones, who has now retired after 35 years at St Chad’s Catholic Primary School, was described as kind, caring and dedicated by those who nominated her.

The competition, which ran throughout July on the shopping centre’s Facebook and Twitter pages, attracted more than 250 nominations for teachers across the region, but Mrs Jones was the clear winner.

Robert Pickersgill, marketing manager at the Brierley Hill shopping centre, said, “Mrs Jones has obviously touched the hearts of many pupils, both past and present and has been a huge inspiration.

"No matter how far we travel in life, we all remember our teachers and Mrs Jones was clearly outstanding and will be missed by her colleagues and pupils alike.”

Mrs Jones, who was surprised with a vintage afternoon tea party in her honour this week and a £100 voucher to spend at the centre, said: “I’m overwhelmed at winning this award. I really can’t describe how lovely this is.

"I will miss everyone, the children, their parents and most of all the staff of St Chad's – they have always supported me in my work.

"I think as a teacher the greatest gift you can offer pupils is patience, understanding, and most importantly, caring.”