Tributes paid to 'hero' teacher

Peter Hughes went back to rescue his mother from the blaze

Mourners have paid tribute to a "hero" Staffordshire teacher and his 86-year-old mother who died in a Cornish hotel fire.

Peter Hughes, 43, of Cheslyn Hay, was killed as he tried to rescue his mother Monica from the blaze at the Penhallow Hotel in Newquay on 18 August.

Friend Dave Ryder said at the funeral in St Mark's Church, Great Wyrley, that they had shared a "love of life".

Mr Hughes was head of physics at Weston Road High School in Stafford.

Mr Ryder told mourners the mother and son shared a "great sense of humour".

"They both grabbed life by the scruff of the neck and lived life in all its fullness, " he said.

"They were both honest and straight. There was a down-to-earth honest-to-goodness about Monica that commended her to all who knew her."

Here is a man who in the richest and fullest sense of the word is a hero Dave Ryder Family friend

Mr Ryder, who is deputy head of Cheslyn Hay Sport and Community High School, Staffordshire, added that Mr Hughes "always stood up for what was right".

"Here is a man who stood tall amongst men. Here is a man who in the richest and fullest sense of the word is a hero."

An inquest held last month heard Mr Hughes was seen climbing out of the window on the third floor of the hotel shouting: "I can't move my mum," before jumping.

The coroner ruled Mr Hughes, who was born in Bloxwich, in the Black Country, was killed by the effect of the inhalation of smoke and toxic gases.

Mrs Hughes was not formally identified until 11 September.

Rev Richard Westwood, who conducted the funeral, said before the service: "It would be easy to let the tragic way in which both Monica and Peter died overshadow their lives and the impact they have had on so many people.

"We want to make sure we honour them and thank God for them."