TRIBUTES have been paid to a former town clerk who has died at the age of 49.

Catherine Reed's time as clerk to Tow Law Town Council from 1997 to 2003 saw many developments in the village including the formation of the Community Partnership.

She was the first partnership worker and made huge efforts to ensure the group's success in its early years.

She also played a key role in the Town Council's development of the Beehive Coke Oven site which was the first winner of The Northern Echo's Making a Difference Award.

The project was a pilot for the Heritage Lottery Local Initiative Fund.

Mrs Reed also worked with Groundwork West Durham to create a stone entrance feature to Tow Law on the A68.

She was a founder trustee of the Millennium Green which opened in 2000 after a successful fundraising campaign.

Former Town Council chair Jenny Flynn said: "Catherine always gave 150 per cent to any job she tackled and we really missed her when she left.

"If asked to do any seemingly impossible task she would always find a way, like finding an open top bus for the Tow Law team to parade through the town after the FA Vase final in 1998.

"The thoughts of the Town Council and the partnership are with her family at this very sad time."

Mrs Reed, who lived in Tow Law High Street, leaves a husband Howard, son Christopher and father Lewis Laing. A Requiem Mass was held at St Joseph's RC Church.