A COURT has heard a glowing tribute to a 70-year-old woman who died after being knocked down by a bus on a Bacup zebra crossing in July.

Blackburn magistrates heard Margaret Wright described as a “kind and giving person who asked nothing in return except friendship”.

And friends and family who prepared a victim impact statement were at pains to say how much they would miss her.

The District Judge who heard the case said bus driver Francis Colin Brown was also described as a caring man.

“No sentence will compensate those who have lost Miss Wright but the court has a duty to reflect the loss to her family and friends.” said District Judge James Clarke.

Brown, 61, of Haslingden Road, Rawtenstall, pleaded guilty to causing death by careless driving. He was made subject to a community order for 12 months with 160 hours unpaid work, and banned from driving for 12 months. He was ordered to pay £85 costs.

The court heard shortly before she was hit by the bus Miss Wright had taken some cakes to the Irwell medical centre.

Miss Gemma Zakrzewski, defending, said nothing she said on her client’s behalf was intended to detract from the tragedy of the incident.

“My client did not intend to go out on the day and cause any harm to anyone,” said Miss Zakrzewski. “He intended to do his job as a bus driver as he had done for the previous 10 years. To say he is remorseful is an understatement.”

She said after the collision Brown had to be sedated at home by his GP even before he knew the accident had fatal consequences.

“It is the first thing he thinks of in the morning and the last thing he thinks of at night,” said Miss Zakrzewski. “This is something he will carry with him for the rest of his life. He wants me to extend his sincere remorse and apologies to all those who have been affected by the tragedy.”

Ms Wright was born in Staffordshire and became a clerk in a solicitors before moving to South Wales in 1962 where she spent the next 30 years working in an accounts department at an aluminium company. She then worked for the Post Office.

After her death her family said: “Margaret loved sport and played netball in her younger days.

“She was an avid rugby union and football supporter, her teams being Swansea City and Port Vale.

“When in Bacup in her later years Margaret played bowls for Bacup Bowling Club and was an active member and their treasurer."