GLOWING tributes have been paid to a well-known Worcester councillor left paralysed from the waist down - with politicians saying the city "owes her a debt of gratitude".

As your Worcester News revealed three weeks ago, former mayor Councillor Liz Smith collapsed at the city's Cap 'N' Gown pub after suffering a spinal stroke just before a hustings event was kicking off.

It emerged last night that the 68-year-old, who has no feeling in her legs, has now been transferred from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham to a specialist spinal unit in Oswestry, Shropshire and is still having to stay on her back.

During the last full council meeting before the elections, former Liberal Democrat colleagues turned up to read out a leaving speech she would have gave had she been able to attend.

Cllr Smith, who represents Claines, was preparing to retire in May anyway after first being elected in 1990 because she wants to spend more time with her family.

Former city councillor Sue Askin, who is still an elected Lib Dem at County Hall, attended to pay her own tribute.

"Tonight is the end of an era for Worcester City Council and for Claines," she said.

"For 25 years, with a brief interval when she stood down to care for her elderly mother, Liz has served the city and in particular the people of Claines."

She told the room she has known Cllr Smith since the eighties, adding: "She was a guide and inspiration to me in my own political career and she has over the years become a valued colleague and dear friend."

She read out a statement by Cllr Smith which said she "remains hopeful of a good recovery, but it will be a long one".

"Since I become a councillor in 1990 I have enjoyed all my time here - there has been no aspect of council work which has not interested me, despite all the frustrations and the difficulties of some decisions," it said.

"I hope I have served the people of Claines well - I have tried, and I am grateful for the confidence and trust they have shown in me over successive elections."

Other parties paid their own tributes, with Councillor Simon Geraghty, the Conservative leader, saying he was "shocked and saddened" by what happened.

"I'd like to record my thanks for her significant period of service to this city, almost a quarter of a century - the city owes her a real debt of gratitude," he said.

Councillor Adrian Gregson, Labour group leader, said she was "committed and hard working, not only inside this building, but outside it."

She stood down in 2000 before returning in 2003, meaning her total service to the people of Claines on the council runs to 22 years.