JUNE French, a former Deputy Leader of Herefordshire Council, has died.

She was born in Northern Ireland and retired to Leominster with her husband Tony after a career that saw her work as Director of General Services at Kensington and Chelsea Council in London.

In 2000 she was elected to both Herefordshire Council and Leominster Town Council, and led the campaign within the council to reopen a swimming pool for the town and local community which had been closed in 1999.

She oversaw the establishment of HALO to run the leisure services in Herefordshire, was the instigator of the provision of two new dental practices in the town and supported the lobbying to Government for the rebuilding of both the secondary and primary schools in the county town.

She was also Chairman of the governors and a champion for Westfields school which looks after children with many complex needs.

“June was a formidable character who worked hard for Leominster and Herefordshire,” said former colleague Cllr Roger Phillips.

“She had a great sense of fairness and was well respected by all political groups and staff”

June, who died in Leominster last week, had a five-year battle with cancer and was badly injured in a car accident at Monkland.

Her last years were spent in the BUPA nursing home where she still kept a close eye on all proceedings.