TWO hundred people turned out to pay their respects to a ‘beautiful and strong’ transplant games champion who died last week aged 40.

Lynn Hindle, of Blackburn, fought a two-year battle with ovarian cancer after overcoming kidney failure.

After her transplant in 2002, she went on to compete in the British Transplant Games in track events between 2004 and 2007, winning nine gold, five silver and one bronze medal.

She competed in the World Transplant Games in Canada and Thailand in 2005 and 2007.

Lynn leaves father Henry and brothers Anthony, Paul and Mark, as well as her boyfriend of three years Mark.

He had proposed to her, but she did not think it was fair on him because of her prognosis.

Lynn’s brother Mark, 47, said at her funeral at St Alban’s RC Church, Whalley New Road, Larkhill, yesterday: “I really have no words to describe my sister other than she had remarkable strength and beauty.

“Through all the health problems, Lynn fought and fought and never sought the easy way out.

“She went to hell and back more than I know and her strength is now part of me.

“Her thirst for life made you want to take it by the scruff of the neck.

“Lynn packed many lifetimes into the 40 years she had.

“Lynn had an innate ability to get on with anybody she met and the three years with Mark were the happiest they ever had.”

Lynn joined Blackburn with Darwen Council 12 years ago, working first in housing and later in legal and democratic services.

Chief executive of the council, Graham Burgess, for-mer leader of the council Colin Rigby, former Mayor Mohammed Khan, and several councillors also att-ended the service.