A FORMER Burnley councillor, lovingly referred to as a ‘stalwart’ of local politics, has died.

Alice Thornber, 89, served as a Labour councillor for the Whittlefield with Ightenhill ward from 1995, before leaving the council in 2002 to care for her sick husband.

Mrs Thornber was said to have been passionate about politics, and up until her death last week, was still fighting for local causes.

Leader of Burnley Council, councillor Mark Townsend said: “Alice was the person who got me involved in local politics.

“She was very passionate and there was nobody better at fighting for causes in Burnley.

“Even though she retired she still came to meetings up until a couple of years ago and was still fighting hard till the very end.

“She made a real impact in local politics and will be sadly missed by everyone in the Labour Party in Burnley.”

Instrumental for the Labour Party during the miners’ strikes of the 1980s, Ms Thornber also helped to establish the Battered Wives Home in Burnley, which is now part of the Lancashire Women’s Centre.

She was also one of the first women to attend the Greenham Common Protest in 1981 as part of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament.

Labour councillor for Brunshaw, councillor Lian Pate, said: “She was a stalwart at Labour Party meetings and was very active in politics and always had something to say.”

Former MP for Burnley, Peter Pike, said: “Alice was a great member of the Party and also a great Labour Councillor.

“She will be sadly missed by many people but will be remembered by many for all the work she did for the Labour Party and the people of Burnley.”

Ms Thornber’s daughter, Louise Thornber, said her mother dedicated her life to politics, in particular the Labour Party in and around Burnley and that she will be greatly missed by her whole family.