THE funeral date for a “highly respected” former Wyre Forest District Councillor has been announced.

Blakedown and Churchill Parish Council has said that a service will be held for Pauline Hayward at Churchill Church on September 7, starting at 11am.

Mrs Hayward, who was made Honorary Alderman of the council, died on Sunday 14 August at the age of 85.

She was a Conservative district councillor for more than 30 years and a former Council chairman.

Mrs Hayward represented the Blakedown ward from 1982 to 2004 and then the Blakedown and Chaddesley Ward from 2004 to 2015. 

She was Chairman of the Council from 2003 to 2004 and held a number of other important roles within the Council. 

On her retirement in 2015, she was made an Honorary Alderman in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the District Council. She was also a member of Churchill and Blakedown Parish Council for many years.

Councillor Peter Dyke, Chairman of the Council said: “Our community has lost a public servant who gave decades of her life to the service of others. She was highly respected by councillors from all political parties. We offer our deepest condolences to Pauline’s family and friends at this very sad time.“

Donations made at the funeral will be given to the Air Ambulance, Churchill Forge Trust and Parkinson's UK charities.