SHE lived her life for others and was perhaps one of the most proud Prestonians that ever lived.

That was one of the emotive tributes paid to former Preston Mayor Mary Rawcliffe who died of cancer earlier this month aged 84.

More than 200 people attended her funeral on Monday at St Wilfrid's Church, in Chapel Street, a reflection of the popularity and the respect she had gained as one of the town's longest serving Labour members.

Councillor Ian Hall, leader of Preston Borough Council, led the tributes to the former councillor. "She was a genuine, tenacious person who was keen on women's issues but wasn't a bra burner," he said.

Miss Rawcliffe, of Avenham Lane, Preston, lived in the town all her life and worked tirelessly on various council committees including the Equal Opportunities for seven years.

She was elected Mayor of Preston from 1991 to 1992 -- a role she cherished.

She was a teacher at the Blessed St John Southworth school for almost 40 years and became a councillor in May 1979.

Coun Hall said: "I've known her for more than 50 years and she has always been interested in politics. She was the longest serving Labour member in the county.

"Back in the late 1940s she was very good friends with Ted Shackleton, a former Lord and MP for Preston and son of the great explorer Ernest Shackleton."

Miss Rawcliffe, who never married, was a devout Catholic and was involved with many committees and charities during her life.

Coun Hall added: "She lived a very fulfilling life although she did not marry. She did everything she wanted to do and took great pleasure from the church, politics and charity work. I last saw her at Royal Preston Hospital when she recognised some of the nurses because she had taught them as children in her school. She called them 'her girls'."

After her retirement in 1994 she was made an Honorary Alderman of the borough and later joined the management committee for homeless people in Preston.

Miss Rawcliffe died in St Catherine's Hospice on January 9. She leaves an older sister, Margaret, who lives in Wales.