POLICE are investigating the death of a 72-year-old woman in a rural village.

Officers were called to Kirkby Malzeard, near Ripon, North Yorkshire, by the ambulance service on Saturday morning.

The woman, named as community worker Audrey Mac-kenzie, was taken to Harrogate District Hospital, but died later. A local man is helping police with inquiries and a post-mortem examination has been carried out.

Mrs Mackenzie, married with three grown-up children, was a member of the Kirkby Malzeard Players and the Highside Stitchers, a group that made community banners featuring scenes of the village.

They made a millennium banner to raise money for the refurbishment of the Mechanics' Institute, where Mrs Mackenzie was on the committee.

Fellow committee member Neil Fraser said: "I think the people who knew her well are a little bit stunned to put it mildly. For this to happen yesterday morning, and then to find that she has passed away, has been a little bit gloomy."

Parish council vice-chairwoman Gwyneth Jackson said: "She was a livewire and always ready to help. She was very good at persuading people to do things and getting them together."

Joan Kirk, from the Women's Institute, said: "She was a very active lady and I am sure that over the years she did a lot for Kirkby Malzeard."

Inspector Mike Thompson, of North Yorkshire Police, said: "We are currently carrying out an investigation into the circumstances of this death.

"A local man is currently assisting us with those inquiries at Harrogate Police Station.

"The coroner has been informed."