TRIBUTES have been paid following the death of a woman who had a ‘heart of gold'.

Cliviger Parish councillor Paula Riley lived for her family and was described as a ‘larger than life’ character who ‘made friends everywhere she went’.

The 70-year-old, married to Keith, lived in Cliviger and was born and bred in Burnley.

She was well-known as volunteer in the community who helped to feed the homeless and her daughter Abbygail Thomas said ‘Burnley will be lost without her.’

The 44-year-old added: “We have been so touched by how many people’s lives she made an impact on over the years.

“We have had so many nice messages on social media.

“She would do anything for anybody and fed the homeless people on a Wednesday night at the Centenary Way car park at Tesco.

“She was given the silver medal from mayor Wajid Khan for her contribution every Wednesday. In rain, sleet and snow, she made food every week without fail.

“She even took on a job helping feed an elderly man, it just shows how she had a heart of gold.”

Paula went to Todmorden Road Junior School and then moved to Walshaw High which is now Sir John Thursby School.

She worked on production at the Lucas Factory and also was a hairdresser and chiropodist.

Abby said: “She doted after her grandchildren Elise and Olivia and was with them once a week.

“She was warm-hearted.”

Paula died after suffering a ‘catastrophic’ brain haemorrhage when she had gone to defrost her car on January 22.

Abby added: “She held on until the last minutes when we got our children there and took her last breath.”

A spokesman for the Burnley and Padiham Independent Party said: “It is with deep sadness that we have to announce the passing of friend and colleague Paula Riley.

“Paula supported our party from its very beginning and stood as a candidate for us and was due to again this May.

“Paula was a truly amazing lady who touched all of our lives, was a great friend to the homeless and provided meals for them each week.

“We are proud to have had Paula as a member of our party and we will all miss her and send our thoughts and prayers to her family at this difficult time.

“Paula will be greatly missed by one and all.”

Andrew Newhouse, who represents the Cliviger with Worsthorne ward, said: “It is a really sad time for the village. Paula was a hard-working parish councillor who cared about the area and the people who she represented.

“I only ever heard good things about what she did.

“Even recently still doing all she could to help the more in need families of this town.

“She was a real people’s person who will be missed by many friends and family.”