WARM tributes have been paid to an Honorary Citizen of Otley who has died.

Carol Newbould trained generations of children as the principal and founder of the Newall School of Theatre and Dance.

Mrs Newbould only hung up her dancing shoes in 2017 after running the school for some 56 years.

The ballet teacher’s decades of work in the community - which included organising many fundraising shows - were recognised by Otley Town Council in 2012 when she was made an Honorary Citizen.

Town and ward Councillor Sandy Lay said: “I’m saddened that another stalwart and legend of Otley had died.

“Carol may be gone but she is not forgotten.

“Rest in peace Mrs Newbould - generations of little girls (and a fair few boys) owe their twinkle toes to you, including my own daughter.”

Councillor Colin Campbell added: “It is always sad to lose someone who has made a contribution to the life of the town.

“Carol was involved in many areas, including her dance school, and she will be missed by all who knew her and the wider community.”

Many messages of tribute, including from former pupils, have also been posted on social media. Catherine Morris, writing on Facebook, said: “Along with many others I grew up under Mrs Newbould’s watchful eye.

“She taught me so much beyond ballet and I have an awful lot to thank her for.”

Mrs Newbould qualified as a dance teacher when she was just 16 and a year later, in 1961, decided to open her own school in Otley Civic Centre accompanied by her pianist mum, Kathleen Williams.

She soon went on to hire Newall Church Hall and found the Newall School of Dancing, which flourished.

Mrs Newbould moved her dance school to Kirkgate in 1977 and saw student numbers soar to 300 pupils around that time due, in part, to the popularity of disco and the TV show Fame.

The school raised thousands of pounds for good causes, including the Wharfedale Hospital Special Instrument Fund, and became involved in Otley Little Theatre’s pantomimes.

It also produced some prize-winning Otley Carnival floats and helped pupils who had been referred by hospital consultants to improve their mobility and body strength.

Mrs Newbould also became involved with her daughter, Philippa’s, theatre in Switzerland and attended training sessions and rehearsals with them, becoming friends with some of the world’s leading choreographers.

A private committal for Mrs Newbould, who passed away at home on April 19, will be held at Rawdon Crematorium. A service to celebrate her life is to be arranged for a future date.