THE body of a mum-of-two has been found in an East Lancashire river days after, it is believed, she fell or was blown into the water.

Friends think Valerie Weston, 58, may have been caught in the strong winds sending her into the fast flowing River Irwell at the bottom of her garden.

The former secondary school teacher was last seen around 10.50pm on Monday in the garden of her Rossendale home in Chapel Terrace, Irwell Vale.

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Her body was discovered by police in the river in Bury at 1pm yesterday.

Officers said that there are no suspicious circumstances around her death and that a file is being prepared for the coroner.

Close friends say the accident may have happened as she tried to move pot plants.

A flood warning was issued on Monday night when she was last seen.

Janice Johnson, who runs Irwell Vale village nursery and had know Mrs Weston for 25 years, said: “She was my first friend when I moved to the village.

“She was the kindest, loveliest person in the world and everyone was very sad when we heard the news that she was missing.

“Valerie absolutely loved the river and it’s ironic that is what has taken her in the end.

“I’m utterly devastated and I can’t stop crying.

“She knew everybody in the village and she did not have a bad word to say about anyone.

“Valerie lived near to me in Milne Street when I first moved and only moved to Chapel Terrace a few years ago.

“She had been busy making sure the house was all lovely and that the garden was all sorted as well.

“She was exciting for the future and had lots of plans and was waiting for me to retire.”

Mrs Johnson said the pair had been looking forward to making plans for the future.

She said: “Valerie bought a campervan and was due to go away in the next few days and was looking forward to making more plans.

“It was terrible weather on Monday night and there was a flood warning issued for the area.

“There were a few new potted plants at the bottom of her garden by the river bank and I know that she will have gone down there to bring them in and got swept into the river.

“It was going at around 30mph that night and was quite high.

“I brought my children up with hers and she was my best friend.”

Mum to Joe and Elizabeth, Mrs Weston lost her husband Dave a couple of years ago and had recently retired from her position working for drugs charity Lifeline.

Originally from Radcliffe, Mrs Weston had previously worked as a teacher at the now-closed Coney Green High School.

Other friends said the village had been rocked by the news.

Mum-of-one Elizabeth Moore, 41, who lives in the village, said: “It’s so shocking and there is a lot of sadness in the village.

“I only saw her the other day and she was happy and bubbly.

“Everybody knows who she is and has a connection to her in some way and this is such sad news.”

Neighbour Carolyn Smith, 42, said: “It has been a real shock to so many people and it must be a nightmare for the family.”

Milne Street resident Summer Johnston, 36, said: “This has come as a real shock and it’s such a tragedy.

“The river was very high on that night and looked dangerous.”

Inspector Andrew Carter of Lancashire Police said: “Officers are supporting the family at this difficult time and our thoughts are with them.”