Tributes have been paid to a woman who devoted her life to communities in Blackburn following her death at the age of 85.

Sheila Shaw had an illustrious career throughout the charity sector and acted as a voluntary social services officer, charity information and advice service organiser, and as centre manager of Blackburn Brook Advisory Centre.

Born in 1939 in the town, Sheila attended Blackburn High School for Girls and Blackburn College before attending the University of Manchester gaining a certificate in psychosexual therapy.

During her adult life she lived in Mellor with husband Gordon until his death

Paying tribute, her daughter Liz Kenyon said: “She was vibrant, very energetic and very wise. She was warm-hearted, just lovely."

When the Queen visited Blackburn in 2020 Sheila was awarded Maundy Money, and was also invited to two garden parties at Buckingham Palace over the years.

Her charity work spanned numerous sectors, including being a board member at the Carers Link in Hyndburn and Ribble Valley, Humraaz refugee and support services for Asian women, and being a fundraising coordinator for the Magic Eye Appeal at East Lancashire Hospitals.

She also spent 23 years volunteering in various roles for the Samaritans, beginning when she was 30.

Liz remembers her mum always preparing to go out to events whether that be volunteering at the Samaritans or attending local committee meetings.

She said: “Mum was always trying to do a million things, she was quite a free spirit really and very clever and very beautiful.

“People always used to say she was superhuman as she always managed to juggle everything.

“She was kind, and she could never do enough for everybody.”

Between 1982 and 1989, Sheila served as the 'Agony Aunt' columnist for the Lancashire Telegraph and Newcastle Chronicle where she produced a weekly advice column which dealt with a diversity of personal and practical problems.

Other jobs Sheila worked over the years included in accounts, as a registrar and as a consultant for New Era Management Project.

Her hobbies included writing, researching local and family history, gardening, walking, learning and spending time with her family.

The funeral will take place at 12pm on Monday, August 5, at St Peters Church, Salesbury, Blackburn.

A celebration of Sheila's life will then be held at Mytton Fold Hotel in Langho, with all who knew her invited to attend.