TRIBUTES have been paid to a "bubbly and fun" ambulance worker and charity fundraiser who was found dead in Shotover Park.

Sara McDonald, from Woodstock, went missing after she was last seen in the town on Monday evening.

The 45-year-old's body was found on Tuesday by police and search teams in the Headington park, which officers said she often visited to walk her dog.

Ms McDonald worked for South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS) and had previously been employed by Thames Valley Police.

She was also a member of the Didcot-based Thong Rangers charity group that raises money for children with life limiting conditions.

Fellow group member Claire Hughes, who knew Ms McDonald for eight years, said she was shocked by the sudden death of one of her best friends.

She said: "She was really bubbly and fun. She was an asset to the Thong Rangers team.

"She was really encouraging and was a good friend, the person people would go to speak to.

"It is such a shock, it is so sudden, I was just speaking to her on Monday morning."

Ms Hughes said her friend would be remembered for her determination to help other people, which shone through in her charity work and her job at SCAS.

She said: "She always put other people first. I think that is why she went into the ambulance service and that is why she got involved with the Thong Rangers.

"Sara was always heard, she would never stand in the background.

"She was completely involved in whatever she did.

"Everybody always knew she was there and her presence was really welcoming."

At SCAS Ms McDonald worked alongside paramedics as an emergency care assistant.

SCAS director of operations Mark Ainsworth said: "Sara was a popular and dedicated emergency care assistant and will be greatly missed.

"Our immediate thoughts and deepest sympathies are with Sara's family, friends and colleagues."

Dozens of tributes flooded in for Ms McDonald on social media.

Commenting on Facebook Ryan Schofield said: "So sad.

"For those who didn't know her she was such a lovely person and always friendly.

"RIP Sara.

"My thoughts are with your family."