THE leader of Banbury Town Council has led tributes to a former councillor who has died aged 62.

Keiron Mallon praised former Grimsbury and Castle town councillor Ann Bonner as a "stalwart promoter" of the town and "tireless worker".

Mrs Bonner, who lived in Griffith Road, passed away on Monday evening after staying for a short period of time at The Katharine House Hospice.

She leaves behind her husband Derek, her son James and two grandchildren.

Mr Mallon said: "Ann was a stalwart promoter of Banbury and she served the people of Grimsbury and Castle at various times on all tiers of local government.

"She was a tireless worker for the area that she lived in and grew up in and while she was passionate about the things she loved, she always made her points with style, integrity and a sense of humour."

Mrs Bonner, who was a pupil at St Leonard's Primary School and Banbury School, now Banbury Academy, was also a member of Banbury Fine Arts Society and Banbury Cross Players, as well as a tour guide at Broughton Castle.

She had served on Oxfordshire County Council previously and was also a councillor on Cherwell District Council.

Mr Mallon added: "She will be missed by councillors and officers alike and the council chamber will be poorer for the loss of here presence.

"She has been sadly taken away from us far too young."

Details of Mrs Bonner's funeral have not yet been confirmed and her family today could not be reached.