Tributes have been paid to long-serving Morecambe councillor and hotelier Shirley Burns, who has passed away.
Shirley was involved in local politics for more than 40 years.
She first became a councillor in the former Borough of Morecambe and Heysham and continued her service to the district after amalgamation with Lancaster, first being elected to Lancaster City Council in 1978.
She also became mayor of Lancaster in 1995/96.
Shirley was originally elected as a Conservative and then became a long standing Morecambe Bay Independent, representing the people of Poulton and Bare for more than 30 years.
She stood down from the city council in 2015 when she became an Honorary Alderman but remained on Morecambe Town Council until her death, most recently as a councillor for Lowlands Road ward.
Born in Yorkshire, Shirley moved to Morecambe as a teenager.
She and her husband Gordon, who died in 2003, ran the Clarendon Hotel on Marine Road West for 25 years before they retired.
Councillor Mike Greenall, mayor of Lancaster, described her as a "dedicated and hard working individual, both as a city councillor and as a mayor".
“Her loss will be felt by all who knew her and her presence will be greatly missed," said Councillor Greenall.
“My sincere condolences on behalf of Lancaster City Council go to her family and friends at this sad time.”
Tricia Heath, Shirley's friend and colleague in the Morecambe Bay Independents, said: "Shirley was a 'people' person and would make friends easily.
"We often joked that she would sit next to a stranger and within five minutes would know their full life history.
"She will be sadly missed by all her colleagues and friends and the numerous people she has helped over her many years of service to the town, but we know she will be happy meeting up with her beloved Gordon again."
Shirley was a supporter of Morecambe Football Club, a former governor of Poulton le Sands school and ran a popular ladies luncheon club for many years.
She is survived by her son Craig, daughter-in-law Tracey and two grandchildren Gareth and Kimberley.
A minute's silence was held in memory of Shirley at the Morecambe Town Council meeting on Thursday and at the Lancaster City Council meeting earlier this month.
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