A TEACHER is giving up her life in rural Hampshire after beating off 60 applicants for a job at a school on the Isle of Muck

The eight pupils at Muck Primary will be welcoming Laura Marriner as their new class teacher.

The married mother of two boys hails from the rural English county, where she works for the local authority.

Her son Charlie will also boost the school's roll, when he joins in primary one.

Mrs Marriner's appointment comes after the Highland Council had to readvertise the job, when the previous six applicants all pulled out.

The school has been left without a permanent teacher since Julie Baker quit in May.

The new teacher said she is looking forward to life on Muck which measures 2.5 miles from east to west and has just 30 residents.

Mrs Marriner takes up the job next month.

She moves to the island with her husband Dean. Her other son Atticus is also coming too.

She said: “I am really looking forward to getting started in the classroom at Muck Primary and can’t wait to meet all the children and their parents.

“My husband and I hope that our family will settle into community island life as swiftly as possible. We are strongly supportive of sustainable living and trust that this will prove useful in a small island community where we hope to bring a positive contribution to the island.”

Parent Council chair Mark Johnson welcomed her to Muck, adding: “On behalf of all the parents, we are very happy to welcome Laura and her family to Muck.

"The Parent Council is looking forward to working with Laura and supporting her in her work. We are also extremely grateful to everyone from far and wide, who helped with our search for a teacher.”

The chair of the council's Education, Children and Adult Services Committee Councillor Drew Millar said: "I am delighted to welcome Laura to Muck and the Highlands of Scotland, I am sure that she will enjoy her time teaching here and she will receive all the support required from Head Teacher, Andrew Murray.”

Muck is the southernmost island of the small isles in Lochaber.

He added that the council was grateful to Muck Parent Council’s support through their social media appeal which attracted people to come and teach on their island.

He added: "They were successful in securing a high level of interest through a variety of national media - the final appointment of Laura Marriner.”

Muck Primary School also currently has one pupil in nursery.