FAMILY and friends have paid tribute to a former Hyndburn Mayor who has died.

Labour's Phyllis Hargreaves was on the former Accrington Council from 1971 to 1974, and on Hyndburn Council from 1974 to 1987.

Mrs Hargreaves, who died in Church View Nursing Home, Emma Street, Accrington, last week at the age of 89, was mayor from 1982 to 1983.

Her son Doug, 49, who lives in the Canary Islands, said she had suffered from Parkinson's disease, angina and arthritis for years, but had died after failing to respond to treatment for a chest infection.

"She had friends on all sides of politics," he said.

"Her whole life was politics, it was so important to her. She was also devoted to her family."

Fellow Church ward Coun Len Dickinson said: "I remember her as a good friend, and excellent colleague and a good, staunch councillor. She was very supportive of the people in her area. I can only speak highly of her. She's a loss to the community."

Former Labour leader Ken Curtis said: "She was a very nice lady, very dedicated to her job as a councillor. She would help anybody and go out of her way. That's a rare commodity these days."

Conservative council leader Peter Britcliffe said: "She was a spirited councillor and fought passionately for Church."

A funeral service will take place at 1.30pm on Thursday at St Andrew's Church, Swiss Street, Accrington, followed by cremation at Accrington Crematorium.