A FORMER Darlington mayoress who worked tirelessly for charity has died at 82.

Louise Hutchinson, the wife of Darlington borough councillor Cliff Hutchinson, of Cardinal Gardens, in the town, will be remembered for the many years she devoted to charity work and fundraising.

Mrs Hutchinson, who suffered from Alzheimer's disease, was described by Darlington councillor Eric Wilson, as a tireless worker for charity.

He said: "She was a fantastic, determined lady, who worked very hard for Cliff, for the Labour Party and for the town. My deepest sympathies go out to the family."

Mrs Hutchinson began fundraising for the Red Cross during the Second World War to help prisoners of war held by the Japanese.

She joined the newly formed Darlington branch of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children in 1951, and went on to hold the posts of chairwoman and secretary.

In 1974, her husband became Mayor of Darlington and she was appointed his mayoress.

Two years later she became chairwoman of the Darlington branch of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, and was later appointed life president.

The following year, she founded the Family Help Association, of which she became honorary president.

In 1980, she became involved in the Mayor's Charity Shop, which she described as her "favourite work".

Twenty years later she was presented with a lifelong-achievement award for her fundraising, which also marked her retirement from the shop, aged 79.

Mrs Hutchinson was also a founder member of the town's St Teresa's Hospice committee, and in 1989 was awarded the MBE.

A Darlington council spokesman said: "She was a lovely lady who will be missed. She did a lot of work in Darlington and helped to raise about £500,000 for charity."