A YELVERTON family left devastated by the death of their mother in a climbing accident on Sunday have spoken of her love of children and the great outdoors.

Climbing instructor Lesley Coupland, 59, was teaching a novice at Dewerstone Rock near Shaugh Prior on Dartmoor when she fell to her death.

The beauty spot was a favourite of the Tavistock Community College teacher who frequently took friends and their children there to show them the ropes of rock climbing.

The second eldest of her five sons, David, 33, said his mother died doing something she loved: 'She just loved being outdoors, every day, rain or shine.

'She had been out with a friend who was an amateur climber —that was very typical of Mum. She was a qualified climbing instructor and always took people out, kids and friends, to show them what to do.

'She was not into extreme climbing, she just loved climbing. It was something Mum and Dad had in common when they met 40 years ago and the whole outdoors thing runs through the family.'

David said his mother's other passion was children and she had been a special needs teacher at Tavistock College for more than 15 years.

'She really enjoyed working with children and loved all children. Mum was a lovely person and no-one could possibly get on the wrong side of her. She was the best.

Mrs Coupland leaves four other grown-up sons, Richard, 34, Peter, 30, Tommy, 27 and Chris, 23, husband Jonathan and two grandchildren. The family were all gathering this week at the Yelverton home the Couplands had shared for 24 years.

Eldest son Richard said his family was very close and loving: 'Mum was the mortar yet at the same time she managed to help and touch so many other people, all the children she helped as a dyslexic teacher at Tavistock college, all the clubs for children, walking clubs for adults, all the extra things she did while always having time for all of us.

'She wasn't a saint or anything; she was very hard working and energetic and loving and was always giving of herself to others and never judging.

'I think the thing people will remember will be that she always gave of herself.'

Mrs Coupland was instrumental in the building of a climbing wall at Tavistock College and a stalwart member of the town's outdoor education forum.

Vice-chairman of the group Richard Walker said all the members were 'very saddened' by her death.

'Lesley had, for 15 years, been a valued member of the forum's team of outdoor education volunteers and was well liked and respected by her colleagues and the hundreds of young people that she gave her time to over the years. She will be greatly missed.'

Tavistock College principal Colin Eves said staff were shocked and deeply saddened by the tragedy. 'Lesley was a lovely woman who was very caring in everything she did,' said Mr Eves.

'She worked mainly in our special needs department and did a huge amount to support students with literacy difficulties.

'Lesley had a deep and genuine love of the outdoors and took a lead with our outdoor activities, ran the climbing club and organised many walking trips. In all these activities she enthusiastically passed on her passion for the countryside to a new generation.

'She was very experienced and very capable and she will be sorely missed by the staff and students and the wider school community.

'Our thoughts and prayers are with her husband Jon, who only recently joined our school governors, and the rest of the family.'

Attempts were made by paramedics to resuscitate the 59-year-old following the accident at Dewerstone around mid-day on Sunday but she was declared dead at the scene.

Police do not believe there are any suspicious circumstances but officers are continuing to investigate the cause of the incident.

Anyone who witnessed the incident is being asked to call police on 08452 777444 quoting the log number 513 280908.

Dewerstone Rock has many climbing routes, ranging from low difficulty to challenging. It is believed Mrs Coupland had been abseiling down the rock when the tragedy happened. It is the site of many climbing accidents — in April two people suffered broken ribs and severe bruising when they fell 50ft.