A MUM of eight affectionately known as 'Ma' to those who grew up on an Accrington estate has died.

Janet Barnes, 58, collapsed and died of a heart attack at the home of one of her daughter's.

And her family today paid tribute, saying she would do anything for anyone.

Daughter Caroline, 27, said when they were youngsters on the Fern Gore estate, where her mum lived for 25 years, Janet would organise coach trips for children to places like Blackpool.

She said: "I remember us stopping at a chip shop on the way back and my mum had buttered loads of bread and then bought chips for everyone to have a chip butty.

"She paid for it out her own money, even though she didn't have much herself, and that was just what she was like."

Caroline said the family had a minibus, as there were so many of them, and plenty of other children would join them for trips and holidays.

Janet lived in Broadfield Road with her husband of 30 years, Paul, and had worked as a care assistant. Her last job before she retired due to ill health was at Acorn Lodge Home for the Elderly, Wellington Street, Accrington.

Daughter Julie, 38, said: "Mum lived for other people and for work. She loved being around people and when she went into town she would talk to anyone and everyone.

"She was always doing things for other people, even when her health wasn't too good. I took her for a hospital appointment and she was asking me to get things for the old lady in the bed next to her who didn't have any visitors."

As a member of the Accrington Mobility Centre, she also raised money for charities, including Marie Curie Cancer Care, with car boot sales. And she had always asked for people not to wear black to her funeral. Caroline added: "Mum told us she would haunt anyone who wore black. She really wanted it to be a celebration of her life."

Janet leaves her husband; children Gillian, Julie, Marie, Paula, Wendy, Clive, Caroline and Terry; 13 grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

Her funeral is on Monday, with the procession leaving the family home at 1.45pm for a service at St Peter and St Paul's Church, Rishton. She will be buried at Great Harwood Cemetery.