TRIBUTES have been paid to a popular swimming teacher who inspired generations of children.

Bernice Hooper taught swimming, as well as maths and history, at schools across Newport - including the former Durham Road Junior School, and Duffryn High School, which is now John Frost High School.

She was also the manager of Welsh swimming teams which competed as Commonweath Games in Australia and New Zealand, and a swimming instructor at Newport Swimming Club - now City of Newport Swimming and Waterpolo Club.

Ms Hooper died aged 98 at Millheath Nursing Home in Bettws, Newport, on Sunday.

Jean Ann Edwards, of Bettws, Newport, said she was inspired to become a swimming teacher after being taught by Mrs Hooper.

“She was strict but fair and treated everyone as equal,” said the 75-year-old.

“She was a very good swimming teacher and she was also a very dear friend to me.”

Ms Hooper was said to have continued competitive swimming into her late 80s and lived in Devon Place, Newport, for many years.

Amongst the many she helped was Welsh swimmer Martyn Woodroffe, who went on to win a silver medal at the 1968 Olympic Games.