A WOMAN who worked tirelessly to help disadvantaged children has lost her battle with cancer.

Bridget Salisbury was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2009 and died at her home in Pitton last Tuesday, aged 52.

Mrs Salisbury had worked as a teacher at several local schools including Longford Primary School, Bishop Wordsworth’s School and La Retraite.

Her husband Tom said: “Her focus was on doing things for children, particularly those that she viewed as being underprivileged. She was always a friend of the underdog.

“She didn’t always get on with authority, but she loved teaching. Her passion was doing the best for her children.”

Mrs Salisbury was born in Essex and moved to Pitton in 1995. Before becoming a teacher she worked in the oil industry and was the only woman on oil rigs at the time.

She was married to Tom for 22 years and had three children, Alistair, 20, Florence, 18, and 14-year-old Annabel.

Her husband said she was extremely fit and outgoing before she became ill and had a lot of interests and hobbies, including cooking, walking and painting.

She always tried to help the community, creating a mother and toddler group in Pitton, campaigning successfully for outdoor play equipment and organising events such as art exhibitions and French evenings to raise money for charity.

A thanksgiving service will be held at St Peter’s in Pitton next Thursday at 2pm with a collection for Barnardo’s and Everychild.