Taxi-drivers line up to pay final respects to council worker

Donna Riding, 57, retired from her role in licensing only last month. She had worked for the council for 39 years.

Donna spent the majority of this time in the licensing department and worked up to the position of principal licensing officer.

A statement from Blackburn with Darwen Council read: “Over almost four decades, Donna worked closely with colleagues across the council and made firm friends. 

“Her best friends and closest colleagues describe Donna as a one-off special lady, who was a calming influence and who will be dearly missed.”

As a tribute cabbies lined up to pay their final respects as the hearse drove through Pleasington Playing Fields on its way to the cemetery.

The Private Hire Drivers Association said: “Many of the drivers wanted to pay their respects to Donna. She was always available for any issues drivers we were having. She was always listening and many working in the trade for decades were always thankful for her assistance.

“Most of all she was a dedicated worker who was respected by all the drivers in the borough.”

Cllr Mohammed Khan, leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, said: “Donna was a dear and well-loved colleague and had been a valued part of the council for 39 years, all her working life. 

“She was a very highly regarded colleague, friend, and member of our work family here. The tributes from the taxi drivers who she worked closely with is a true testament to this. She will be greatly missed and my thoughts go out to her family and loved ones.”