A FORMER mayor who campaigned for a new swimming pool and primary school in the Herefordshire town which she loved has died, the council has said.

Former Leominster councillor Pauline Davies was also "instrumental" in ensuring the May Fair returned to the town centre.

Leominster Town Council said it was with "great sadness" that it announced her death in October.

"Pauline served faithfully as a councillor for nearly 30 years and was mayor of Leominster in 1995-1996," the council said.

"She was ‘born and bred’ in Leominster, often reminiscing about hop picking with her family from the age of four.

"Pauline was instrumental in ensuring that the May Fair returned to the centre of Leominster, a tradition fondly remembered from her youth."

On top of her role in the fair's return, she was also behind calls for a new swimming pool, now built in Coningsby Road, and the new primary school in Hereford Road.

"[She] championed shopping locally, ensured that the Polish graves were cleaned at a time when they had been neglected and could be always be found supporting the Poppy Appeal," the council added.

"One of her fellow councillors said that she never missed a town council meeting or civic event and once, when asked why she committed so much of her time to council work, she replied ‘I love my town, it’s as simple as that!’"

Our thoughts and condolences are with Pauline’s family and friends at this sad time.