Tributes are paid to tragedy teacher, 34

The grief-stricken wife of a popular Black Country teacher has told how she found him collapsed from a heart attack soon after he went for a "lie down" because he was feeling tired.

Father of two, Antony Stones, aged 34, who had taught at The Wordsley School for about four years, died despite attempts by paramedics and hospital staff to revive him. A post mortem showed underlying heart disease.

Weeks earlier he was successful in getting a new job as head of maths at Stuart Bathurst Catholic High School, Wednesbury, where he was due to start in September.

His wife, Jess, found him collapsed in the bedroom at their home in Collingdale Court, Kingswinford, after he went for a lie-down just before 7pm on Thursday.

Pupils and parents left messages in a tribute book and laid flowers at the entrance to The Wordsley School. Some left home and away shirts of his West Bromwich Albion favourites.

Mr and Mrs Stones, 32, married in 2002 and have two daughters, Violet, four, and Ruby, two.

Mrs Stones, who used to teach science at High Arcal School, Sedgley, said: "He was always happy and made other people happy and he used to say we had the perfect family."

She thanked all who sent cards and flowers and ambulance and Russells Hall Hospital staff.

Mr Stones's father, David Stones, of Longmeadow Drive, Sedgley, said: "Until we saw all those tributes we didn't realise how much other people loved him too."

Antony and Jess had been together for about 13 years after meeting at Sheffield University. His first teaching job was at the Bishop Milner RC School in Dudley.

The Wordsley School closed on Friday in a mark of respect for Mr Stones, whose funeral is on April 18 at Gornal Wood Crematorium at 12.20pm.

Councillor Bob Badham, Sandwell Council's cabinet member for education, said: "It's a credit to Mr Stones that he was held in so much respect at his previous school and it is a sad loss also for the pupils at Stuart Bathurst School who would have benefited from his expertise and character.

"It's an absolute tragedy and my heartfelt sympathies go to his wife, children and the rest of his family, as well as to the staff and pupils at The Wordsley School."