TRIBUTES have been paid to a former councillor, nurse and teacher, who has died.

Lisa Allen was the ex-deputy leader to the late Tony Dobson at Hyndburn Conservatives.

She was diagnosed with lymph node cancer, lung cancer, bone cancer four years ago and died in Royal Blackburn Hospital on Christmas Eve.

The 55-year-old was well-known as a nurse and teacher at Rhyddings High School in Oswaldtwistle doing health and social care for a short period and more recently she was manager at the White Bull pub in New Lane in Oswaldtwistle.

Son Josh Blayne-Allen said: “She has been suffering from cancer for about four years, so we have been 'preparing' for this moment for some time, although nothing is enough to help you deal with it.

“She was a very black and white woman and said it how it was.

“She was a very private person who never liked being in the limelight.

“Mum volunteered with many organisations, primarily Accrington and Oswaldtwistle Carnivals and Accrington Community Events team. She was a former councillor in Oswaldtwistle and enjoyed putting on local community events and spending time raising funds for good causes.

“She had a varied career from starting off as a registered general nurse at Blackburn hospital, to nursing home manager, to teacher and recently managing my pub day to day before her decline.

“She was also very proud of becoming deputy leader of Hyndburn Conservatives.

“She always put the needs of others before her own and ensured ‘everyone was sorted’ before herself.”

Lisa leaves her much-loved sons Josh and Jake, grandchildren Roseanne and Alfie and many friends.

Josh said: “She’s raised two sons and for 20 years has played the role of mum and dad being a single mum. She always encouraged us and told us there are no limits to what we could achieve.

“She loved her random days out with her friend Sheena and spending time with Jake’s kids.

“There are far too many memories to list, but I’d say the most fondest one I have I seeing her at my university graduation.

“And our yearly trips to Weymouth, where we went for her birthday in September, which has to be her favourite place.”

People can make a donation to Hyndburn Hub in Lisa's memory at justgiving.com/crowdfunding/hyndburnhub