A WOMAN who died after being hit by a bus in Bacup last week has been described as a 'kind-hearted and beautiful lady'.

Tributes have been paid to Margaret Wright, who was in her 70s, who suffered head injuries after she was hit outside the Irwell Medical Centre in Rochdale Road on Wednesday.

She was airlifted to hospital but died the following day.

In a statement released via Lancashire Police, her family said it is with 'great sadness and regret that we have to say goodbye to our dear and much loved friend'.

Ms Wright was born in Staffordshire and became a clerk in a solicitors before moving to Neath in South Wales in 1962 where she spent the next 30 years working in an accounts department at an aluminium company. She then worked for the Post Office.

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After the death of her parents, she moved to Bacup to be with her cousin Dorothy Semple, who she looked after until Dorothy died.

The statement said: "Margaret loved sport and played netball in her younger days.

"She was an avid rugby union and football supporter, her teams being Swansea City and Port Vale. "When in Bacup in her later years Margaret played bowls for Bacup Bowling Club and was an active member and their treasurer.

"Margaret was a much loved and respected lady by all who knew her, and will be sadly and greatly missed by her family, her many friends and neighbours.

"Margaret, a kind hearted and beautiful lady – gone too soon."

Following her death concerns were raised about the positioning of a zebra crossing between the medical centre and its car park on the other side of the highway.

A police investigation to establish the exact circumstances of the collision is underway.

Anyone with information can contact police on 101 quoting log 497 of July 12.