A secretary was found hanged at the Birmingham primary school where she worked.

Non-teaching staff at Harborne Primary School discovered the body of 36 year-old Patricia Gregan on Monday shortly after 9am.

It is understood pupils at the school, on Station Road, did not see the dead woman as she was in an area the youngsters could not access.

A Birmingham Local Education Authority spokeswoman said: "We can confirm that an incident took place at the school on Monday but no pupils were aware or were affected by this matter."

A West Midlands Police spokeswoman said: "We were called to Harborne Primary School by West Midlands Ambulance Service at 9.32am following reports of a woman's body being found. There is nothing to suggest there has been anything suspicious and the coroner has been informed."

Ms Gregan had previously been away from work for long periods with health problems.

It is believed she carried out a range of support staff functions at the primary school, including collecting dinner money from the children.

The inquest is scheduled to take place at Birmingham Coroner's Court on Tuesday.

The mixed school, which has about 630 pupils, did not inform parents of the incident.

One mother, who did not wish to be named, said last night: "This is really awful news.

"I cannot believe that this sort of thing can happen at a school," she added.