A PIONEERING Darwen woman, who brought ladies' darts to the town 28 years ago, has died aged 64.

Florence Harwood, who ran the Foundry Arms pub in Wood Street, set up the first ladies' team at a time when the game was considered a man's sport.

She eventually organised a league which survives today and was invited to present trophies at its 25th anniversary in 2001.

Mrs Harwood, died of brain cancer at her home in Morecambe on Monday. Her husband Michael asked that she be allowed to spend her final days at home.

She was well-known in Darwen for her generosity and the kindness she showed to local children. Five years ago she moved from Everton Street, Darwen, to Morecambe to retire.

Daughter Julie Caddis, 41, who runs the Prince of Wales Hotel in Quaker Lane, Darwen, said: "She went from a strong woman to someone who couldn't feed herself, couldn't see and couldn't do anything. She has eight children and we all went up there to help feed and care for her.

"She had cancer of the lung 12 years ago and the way she saw it was that she could have died then, but she'd had an extra 12 years.

"She was fantastic, so loving and caring. She'd help anybody and she used to take the children on trips to see Blackpool illuminations and hold big street parties.

"She's done a lot for Darwen. Without her there wouldn't be a darts team. She set up the team at a time when women were usually in the background."

Original member of the Foundry ladies darts team Bella Liddle, 55, said: "Florence was a pioneer. She had girl power before it was fashionable."

A funeral will be held at St Barnabas Church, Morecambe on Monday at 1.45pm. Mrs Caddis and her partner Ron Wilson will hold a celebration of a her life at the Prince of Wales Hotel at 7pm that day.