A former Burnley politician and school governor has died after losing her battle with cancer.

Joan Keene, former county councillor for Burnley Rural and chairwoman of Worsthorne with Cliviger Parish Council, died in the early hours of Sunday at home in Lindsay Park, Worsthorne.

Her family paid tribute to the 71-year-old who was a mother of four and grandmother of five.

Joan's eldest child Paul, 51, who lives in Aberdeenshire, said the exact nature of his mother's disease had never been diagnosed. He thanked well-wishers for their support and messages of sympathy.

Paul said: "The family has been overwhelmed by the messages of sympathy we have received from all sections of the community.

"We have been touched by the kind words and heartfelt comments of dear friends who have expressed their deep, sincere feelings.

"It is a difficult time for us all, but the pain of our loss has been eased considerably by the kindness afforded by the people of Worsthorne and Burnley.

"It is nice to know people care so much."

Joan was a member of the Parish Council and Lancashire County Council during the 1980s and early 1990s. She was a member of the county council's education committee, chairwoman of the further education committee and on the authority's police committee.

Joan was also a magistrate, chair of governors at Burnley College, vice chair of governors at Brunshaw Primary School and a governor at Worsthorne Primary School.

She stepped down from the county council in 1993 after her husband Mike, 60, a former operations engineer at the old Padiham Power Station, died from a massive heart attack two days after also winning county council elections.

Joan also leaves two sons, Chris, 49 and John, 37, a daughter Diane, 46 - a governor at Brunshaw Primary - and grandchildren Michael, Sara, Kirsty, Claire and Matthew.

Her funeral will be at St John's Church, Worsthorne, tomorrow.