TRIBUTES have been paid to former Hyndburn Labour agent and Accrington West county councillor Doreen Pollitt who has passed away.

The 68-year-old died after long illness, leaving a brother Raymond and sister-in-law Josephine.

Her funeral service is on Thursday, November 5, at 2pm at Southport Crematorium.

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County Council leader Jenny Mein, Hyndburn MP Graham Jones and his predecessor Greg Pope led the tributes.

Brought up in Coppull, she became involved in politics at aged 20 as shop steward at the Royal Ordnance Factory in Chorley before campaigning with then Blackburn MP Barbara Castle on equal pay for women workers. In the 1970s, Doreen moved to Accrington, becoming active in the local Labour Party.

Elected to Lancashire County Council in 1989, she was chair of social services for four years before becoming deputy leader in 2001.

Doreen served as Hyndburn Labour Party agent, helping Mr Pope win three successive General Elections and in 2009 performing the same function for Mr Jones.

She was secretary of the constituency Labour Party until February 2012.

In September 2010, Doreen was presented with a national long-service award at the Labour Conference in Manchester by leader Ed Miliband and in July 2011she was awarded the title of Honorary Alderman by the county council.

Mr Jones said: “Doreen was a fantastic party secretary for many years.

“Her great passion was children and she was head of Children’s Services at County for many years.

“She ensured that there was investment in her division of Accrington West to build up broken communities following the Thatcher years.

“She stood up for ordinary people.

“She is sadly missed.”

Mr Pope said on Twitter: “Very sorry to hear of the passing of Doreen Pollitt.

“A role model, a leader, rooted in the values of the party and the people she stood for.”