THE flag at Accrington town hall was flying at half mast today as a mark of respect for former mayor Mrs Alice Haines who has died in hospital at the age of 91.

Mrs Haines MBE and her late husband, Wallace, moved to Parbold, near Wigan, 17 years ago to live with their daughter after a lifetime of service to the community of Accrington and Hyndburn.

She was taken ill at the end of October and suffered a sudden stroke while in hospital.

Her daughter Mrs Margery Salt said : "Until her recent illness she had a more active mind than anyone I know.

"She read all the latest books, watched all the political programmes and was glued to the Jeremy Paxman show every night.

"When she first went into hospital she was planning to write letters about how hard the nurses work and that they should have higher pay." As well as being a long-serving councillor, Mrs Haines was a magistrate for 21 years.

She was made an MBE in 1971 for her services to the community.

Mrs Haines, a member of the Labour Party since the early 1920s, joined Accrington Town Council in 1945, serving on the education, libraries and housing committees.

She became an Alderman in 1952, was mayor of Accrington in 1958/59, and in 1967 was made a Freeman of the Borough of Accrington.

Mrs Haines went on to become mayoress of Hyndburn in 1974/5 when her husband was the first mayor of the new borough. Mr Haines died seven years ago.

As well as her daughter, and son-in-law, Jack, she leaves three grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, and a sister, Lily, 81, who still lives in Accrington.

The funeral service will be at Parbold Douglas Church on Wednesday at 10.30am.

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