HYNDBURN Council is mourning the loss of one of its most dedicated members, Councillor June Butler.

Mrs Butler, who served the people of Rishton for five years, died on Tuesday in the East Lancashire Hospice following a lengthy fight against cancer.

She held various posts during her stint on the council and was chairman of Rishton Area Council for more than four years.

In May, she was appointed chairman of Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee, vice-chairman of the Standards Committee, chairman of Hyndburn Bus Forum and chairman of the Markets Board.

She was also a member of the Area Councils Panel, the Whinney Hill Landfill Site Working Group and the Scrutiny Management Forum.

Describing her as "a lively character", council leader Peter Britcliffe said: "She will be sorely missed by everyone at the council. I saw her just before Christmas and she was cheery and working hard to get better.

"She made a tremendous contribution to the people of Rishton and it is such a sad loss. Our thoughts are with her whole family."

Opposition Labour group leader Councillor Jean Battle said: "The times I worked with June, I found her to be a very dedicated councillor and she always put Rishton first."

Councillor Win Frankland, who represents Great Harwood, said: "June was diagnosed with cancer in August and she had been having radiotherapy at Preston. She was a traditional councillor and a no-nonsense person."

Mayor of Hyndburn, Councillor Miles Parkinson added: "She polled far more votes than anyone when she won her seat in the election. She had a lot of support from the community and she endeavoured to do her utmost in whatever she did. She always spoke her mind."

Apart from her scores of friends, Mrs Butler also leaves her three daughters, Alyson, Nichola and Susan and her grandchildren Grace and David.

A service will take place on Friday at Rishton Parish Church, where Mrs Butler was a member of the choir, commencing at 9.30am. She will then be cremated at Accrington.

The Rishton Area Council planned for next Thursday has been postponed until 17 March as a mark of respect.