A CHARITY worker, singer and community activist given the freedom of her home borough has died aged 88.

Oswaldtwistle councillors and her family have paid tribute to ‘a wonderful woman’.

Irene Barnes of Durham Drive in the town died peacefully in hospital following a stroke.

She was made a Freeman of the Borough of Hyndburn in December 2010 in recognition of her charity work.

Mrs Barnes was keen member of Rhyddings Methodist Church in Oswaldtwistle and key official of the Accrington branch of Arthritis Care for 39 years until its closure in January last year.

She and her late husband Ted were well-known club singers and helped organise the Inskip League supporting disabled people for whom they often performed at its events.

Mrs Barnes was also a regular attender at the Oswaldtwistle Area Council.

She worked for 35 years in the offices at Mullards in Simonstone where her husband also worked.

Mrs Barnes was born in Great Harwood to parents Fred and Ivy, moving to Accrington on her marriage in 1952, and then Oswaldtwistle.

Former president of Arthritis Care and county councillor for the town Peter Britcliffe said: “I am so sad to hear of Irene’s passing.

“She was inspirational and will be very sadly missed. She well deserved the honour of being a Freeman.”

Her niece Melanie Howard said: “She was a great character and a fantastic woman. She did so much for others and was a real activist in her community.”

Immanuel Ward Conservative councillor Judith Addison said: “Irene was a wonderful woman who will be much missed by so many.”

Her funeral service will be at 10am on Tuesday at Rhyddings Methodist Church before a committal at Accrington Crematorium.

In her spare time and during her retirement Mrs Barnes liked painting, flower arranging, cooking and singing.