Shock at death of English teacher, aged 37

Gareth Utting, an English teacher at Thomas Adams School in Wem, was taken to Royal Shrewsbury Hospital on Wednesday evening after he was suddenly taken ill, and died while at A&E of what is thought to have been a heart attack.

Mr Utting, of Cherry Drive, Ellesmere, leaves his wife Alison and children Sam, 14, Ioan, four, and Catrin, one.

He had taught at Thomas Adams for 10 years.

Headteacher Elizabeth Dakin,said: "Mr Utting was a popular and hardworking member of staff and we have all been shocked and moved by his loss.

"He leaves all his teaching groups and colleagues with such fond memories, particularly of his sense of humour."

She said pupils were already making plans to create a book of poems and memories – a fitting tribute as Mr Utting ran the school's Poetry Club.

Formerly of St Martins, Mr Utting was a leader of the St Martin's Beaver Scouts, as well as a martial arts instructor in Eskrima. He was an active member of Penycae Neighbourhood Church of the Nazarene, based in the village between Chirk and Wrexham.

A short memorial service is being planned at the school in the coming week. Former pupils took to social media to pay tribute to Mr Utting. On Twitter, Rachel Wall, now studying politics in Leicester, said: "Such sad news about Mr Utting – one of funniest and most engaging teachers at Thomas Adams, Wem. Taken so young."

Ella Painter said: "You've had a lot of tears shed for you, sir. RIP Gareth Utting, you'll always be in our hearts."

On Facebook Megan Ruscoe said: "He was one amazing chap! So lively and caring and it's so strange to think that's he's not here anymore."