Tributes have been paid to 'treasured colleague' and Bicester Town councillor Jolanta Lis who passed away suddenly on Friday.

The North Oxfordshire Conservative group announced the death of Ms Lis with a tribute online which described her as a 'a generous and warm-hearted colleague'.

Ms Lis was elected to represent Central Ward on Bicester Town Council in 2011, serving as Mayor in 2016/17.

She was also elected to Cherwell District Council in 2016, having taken on the role of vice chairman in 2017/18.

Actively involved in a number of local community organisations, Ms Lis, pictured above in 2016 during Bicester's annual Snowflake competition, was a Rotarian, an active member of St. Edburgs Church, a Governor at Bardwell School and had been heavily involved in the Bicester Twinning Association.

The North Oxfordshire Conservative group said her contributions across the community will be 'sorely missed'.

In a statement, they added: "Bicester Conservatives and the whole of North Oxfordshire Conservative Association are deeply shocked at this news.

"The Conservative group has lost a generous and warm-hearted colleague.

"For those Councillors who, like her, joined Cherwell District Council for the first time in 2016, she was a constant source of support.

"Her unrelenting positivity and commitment were infectious and something that we all aspire to emulate.

"We will miss her dearly and send her family all over the world our most sincere condolences."

Opposition Leader on Cherwell District Council Sean Woodcock tweeted his shock at the news.

Ms Lis was due to stand in the upcoming county council elections in the Bicester West ward.

However, following the news, the election for Bicester West ward on May 3 is now postponed.

The council will issue further details in due course.