A HEREFORDSHIRE teacher has been praised and thanked by a famous actress.

Ellie-Mae Davies-Bufton, who is a learning support teacher at Earl Mortimer College, in Leominster, has been publicly thanked for her hard work by English actress Emilia Fox.

The heartfelt message was read out on Twitter by the Silent Witness star as part of the Thank a Teacher celebrations on Thursday (May 26).

Ms Davies-Bufton said she was shocked and moved when she saw the video on social media.

She has no idea who wrote the message as they are sent anonymously, said the school.

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It reads: "Thank for your care, compassion, and connection with students. The most vulnerable young people feel well supported and able to attend school because of the work you do them.

"Their families also feel the benefit of that support."

Ms Davies-Bufton, 22, who has a first class degree clinical psychology, runs mental health interventions at the school.

Each year students, families and colleagues are encouraged to write cards showing appreciation and gratitude for school staff.

"I work with three groups of students her running mental health interventions and I really love what I do," said Ms Davies-Bufton.

"I was really shocked when I got sent this message because I did not expect to be thanked for what I do, as I say I do it because I love it.

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"I have to say I was quite moved by it because it is lovely to know people appreciate what you are doing, it means an awful lot.

"It is a bit strange that it is a really famous actress reading it out as well. I am used to seeing her in Silent Witness so it was quite cool."

Headteacher Alison Banner said that Ms Davies-Bufton is getting the recognition her outstanding work clearly deserves.

"Supporting students mental health is a crucial step in creating a warm and welcoming learning environment where students can thrive," she said.

The day is run in partnership with the Department for Education and Children's Commission and staff forward cards to the Thank a Teacher.

Selected messages are read out by celebrities on social media. Others reading messages include David Walliams, Helen Mirren and Edith Bowman.