TRIBUTES have been paid to a former pub landlady who has lost a battle with cancer.

Susan Rothwell, 64, who formerly ran the Gretna Green Hotel in Coal Clough Lane, Burnley, had suffered from ill health and died from lung cancer.

She ran the Gretna, which has been demolished in the past two years to make way for housing, between 1996 and 2000.

Her husband Barry, 68, said his late wife, who died last Monday, was ‘warm-hearted woman with a listening ear for anyone’.

Mrs Rothwell, of Belgrave Court, spent her early career at Smith and Nephew in Brierfield, where she worked for 16 years, before taking on the Gretna in 1996.

Barry Rothwell, said: “She took to running the pub easily, travelling all over with the darts team and attending licensees’ meetings.

“I was a long distance lorry driver at that time, but helped in the pub.

“It was a memorable time in our lives.

“Susan was never one for the limelight so I would organise things like karaoke and being MC for acts while she got on with the hard work.

“She was such a character, she was stubborn, had no patience but would show such kindness to strangers and had a smile for everyone. Since she died so many people have told me how much she’ll be missed.”

After leaving the Gretna, Mrs Rothwell worked at Asda near her home before ill health forced her retirement.

Mrs Rothwell also leaves son Lee and daughter Keeley and six grandchildren.

Her funeral will take place at Burnley crematorium at 11.20am on Wednesday followed by refreshments at Rosegrove Unity Club.