A FORMER Liberal councillor who was a ‘pillar of the community’ has died after a short battle with cancer.

Doris Carman Stanworth, 74, known as ‘Carman’, was diagnosed with lung cancer which had spread to her brain, just three weeks before she died.

Burnley born Carman, who was registered blind, stood as a councillor in Barrowford for six years in the late 1970s.

She was also a governor and volunteer at Whitefield Infant School and Nursery Unit in Nelson for the past 15 years as well as a volunteer at Age UK shop in Nelson.

The former radiographer worked at Queen’s Park Hospital in Blackburn for 20 years before leaving to work at Rolls Royce in Barnoldswick as an industrial radiographer, where she had an accident that forced her to change career.

She then worked for Lancashire constabulary in administration at Colne and Burnley police stations.

She passed away at home in Nelson on Friday November 2.

Her daughter Julie Stott said: “My mum was a very active member of the community. Although she was registered blind and having had an industrial accident that forced her out of her profession she never let it stop her.

“She had fought cervical and uterine cancer 35 years ago and came out relatively unscathed but this time we were told she would only have four to six weeks to live. Unfortunately, she came out of hospital on the Tuesday and died on the Friday.

“She was well loved by all who knew her and will be sorely missed.”

Ethna Cummins and Linda Turner, joint heads at Whitefield Infant School and Nursery Unit, paid tribute to her in a statement.

“Not only was Carman a governor at the school for 15 years, in which time she was also chair of the governors, she was also a friend, a volunteer and much loved by everyone at the school.

“Carman also made an amazing contribution towards helping the school secure planning permission for the New Build School 2014. She was a pillar of the community and will be missed greatly but fondly remembered by everyone at Whitefield as one of life's great givers. She has left a legacy of treasured memories never to be forgotten.”

She leaves brother Rowland, children Julie and Paul and grandchildren Aaron, Hannah and Emily.