A long-serving and highly-respected Morecambe councillor has passed away after suffering a stroke.
Councillor Janice Hanson, a serving Lancaster city and Morecambe town councillor, died on Sunday night.
She had suffered a stroke on Friday.
Her colleague Councillor Dr Erica Lewis posted on social media that: "Janice’s passing leaves an enormous hole in the community she loved and I’m sure many will want to pay tribute.
"Janice was Labour to the core and fierce in her determination to serve Morecambe."
A spokesperson for Morecambe and Lunesdale Labour Party said: "Janice leaves a huge hole with her passing, her friendship, knowledge and experience will be sorely missed.
"As a party, we are all in shock at her sudden loss; our thoughts and prayers are with John her husband and her family at this time."
Councillor Hanson served as a city councillor representing her home Harbour ward in the West End of Morecambe from 1995 until 2022, with only a break of four years between 1999 and 2003.
She was a former deputy leader of Lancaster City Council, and also served as a Lancashire county councillor from 2005 until 2017, including as chairman in 2016/17.
Councillor Hanson also represented Lancaster City Council as a trustee of Morecambe FC Community Sports.
She was also a former leader of Morecambe Town Council and was carrying out her town council duties as recently as Thursday night when she attended the annual Morecambe Town Council meeting and town assembly.
Within the local Labour party, Janice was also the vice chair of Morecambe branch and had served as the chair and as secretary in previous years.
She served as a governor of Heysham High School and was involved with the Friends of Regent Park.
A spokesperson for Morecambe Town Council said her death had come as a "tremendous shock".
"Janice cared deeply about the people of Morecambe and was a long-standing and committed member of Morecambe Town Council.
"Her passing is both a shock and a terrible loss. Janice was a big personality, with a great sense of humour, who will be sorely missed."
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