HILDA Webb, the woman responsible for building up a thriving St Annes hotel business from humble beginnings, was tenderly remembered in a funeral service this week

Mourners turned out in droves on January 8 to pay their last respects to Hilda at the service at the United Reformed Church on Clifton Drive South, St Annes.

Hilda suffered a stroke on December 18, after which she was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital, but she passed away aged 88 on December 29.

She and her husband Reg moved from Nottingham to St Annes after they fell in love with the Dalmeny Hotel while on a holiday in the town. They sold everything they owned way back in 1946 to buy what was then a modest 11-bedroom guest house, and turned it into the 156-room Dalmeny that is so well known today.

Hilda's son David said he was immensely proud of his mother's achievements and that it was no mean feat to have gone from such a small property to owning seven hotels in total. Other hotels in the chain include the St Ives and the Grand in St Annes, The Clifton Arms in Lytham, and others in the Lakes, Halifax and Colne.

David, who is a director at the St Annes Land and Building Company, said the funeral was a very well attended affair. "It was touching when the procession started from The Dalmeny Hotel and staff and family gathered to say a fond farewell."

He added that numerous other hotel keepers turned out in a display of professional respect. David said: "She was dearly loved by all who knew her and was a remarkable woman. I will miss her greatly but, as long as the business continues to trade, her memory will live on and be dear to everyone."