FAMILY, friends and colleagues have paid tribute to the energy and enthusiasm of Pershore's former mayor, Councillor Elizabeth Turier who died this week.

She became mayor in May but resigned last month after being diagnosed with cancer, and died last Saturday morning at the town's cottage hospital, aged 77.

Acting mayor, coun John Grantham said: "She has been a really good mayor and chairman of council."

He added that her time as mayor would be best remembered for the energy with which she oversaw the council's planned relocation from Belle House to the old High Street post office.

Born in Cheltenham, coun Turier was raised in Birmingham where she worked for the ambulance service during the war.

She came to Pershore in the 1970s, and until about 10 years ago ran the High Street Boutique, Clementines.

She was divorced but had a daughter, also called Elizabeth Turier, and grandson who live in France.

Her daughter, who has come over for the funeral, said: "She will be greatly missed by her family and friends and all the local causes to which she showed such dedication."

Val Wood, a long-standing friend and colleague of coun Turier, said: "She arrived in the town quite late, but much to Pershore's benefit. She'll be greatly missed, we'll miss her input, her energy and her sparkle."

Chairman of Pershore Theatre Arts Association Jane Daniels agreed, and said coun Turier was closely involved with the Number Eight project from the start.

In addition to her council activities coun Turier, who lived at Priest Lane, was also involved with the heritage centre, Chamber of Commerce, annual flower and craft show, tourism association, voluntary help centre and was a governor of Abbey Park Middle School.

Headteacher Lynn Evans said coun Turier was a well-known figure around the school, and regularly listened to children read and talked to year six children about her experiences during the war.

She added the school would close at 12.10pm tomorrow (Friday) because many staff and pupils wished to attend the funeral.

Coun Turier's funeral takes place at 1.30pm at Pershore Abbey, followed by a private service at Worcester crematorium for friends and family only. Donations in her memory, instead of flowers, will go to the Friends of Pershore Cottage Hospital.

The town council, which meets this evening (Thursday), is expected to confirm coun Grantham as mayor for the remainder of the council year and appoint a new deputy mayor.