ELAINE Hendren, a former mayoress of Richmond, has died aged 73. She was also a supporter of the town's Meet, twice taking on the role of president's lady.

Mrs Hendren was born in Workington, Cumbria, and attended Cockermouth Grammar School before training as a teacher at Keele Hall, Staffordshire.

After leaving college, she taught in Workington and Grasslot, near Maryport, before moving to North Yorkshire to teach at Colburn school for several years.

She met her husband, Jack, at a golf club dance in Workington and they married in 1953.

The couple later moved to Brompton-on-Swale.

Last December, Mrs Hendren's illness prevented celebrations for the couple's golden wedding anniversary.

Mr Hendren ran a photography studio in Rosemary Lane, Richmond, until he retired in January 2002.

The business is now run by their daughter, Joanne, and her husband, Jeff.

Mrs Hendren died in hospital earlier this month, following a long illness.

A funeral service was held at St Agatha's Church, Easby.

Mrs Hendren is survived by her husband, children Joanne and Gareth, grandchildren Sarah, Andrew and Jack, and by her sisters, Dorothea, who lives in Richmond, and Elizabeth, who lives in South Wales.