A heartfelt tribute has been paid to a much-loved Hitchin dance school teacher who has died at the age of 88.

The Comet: Brenda Walker leads dancers during the 1974 Walsworth Festival. Picture: ArchantBrenda Walker leads dancers during the 1974 Walsworth Festival. Picture: Archant (Image: Archant)

Brenda Walker, née Caunce, ran the Walsworth School of Dancing for more than four decades, starting in 1947 – and taught countless Hitchin children to dance.

She started the school while in her teens, and was a key figure in pantomimes and shows at Hitchin Town Hall during the 1950s and ’60s. She also ran the town’s majorettes in the ’70s, leading them at events such as the Walsworth Festival.

Brenda, who married Raymond Walker in 1952, retired to Redruth in Cornwall in 1989, aged 60. Sadly, she died in Cornwall on Sunday, November 5.

Brenda’s sister Betty McDonald told the Comet how she, Brenda and their sisters Pam and Pat had danced together as youngsters with their mother Alice – planting the seed for Brenda’s lifelong passion.

The Comet: Hitchin dance leader Brenda Walker, third from left in back row, with dancers who performed in a show at Hitchin Town Hall. Picture: Betty McDonaldHitchin dance leader Brenda Walker, third from left in back row, with dancers who performed in a show at Hitchin Town Hall. Picture: Betty McDonald (Image: Archant)

Summing up Brenda’s love for dancing, Betty said: “That was her life.”