TRIBUTES have been paid to a former council boss who has lost her long battle with cancer at the age of 54.

Carole Hughes, who died peacefully at her home in Bishop Auckland, was executive director of Wear Valley District Council until November 2000.

She gave a lifetime of service to local government, working for Durham County Council before moving to a job in her home district in March 1974.

Mrs Hughes, of Cockton Hill Road, grew up in Crook with her sister Barbara and was a pupil at Wolsingham Comprehensive School.

She studied for a law degree while she was head of Wear Valley's committee section, taking over the top job in February 1996.

Council leader Olive Brown paid tribute to her kindness and dedication. She said: "She was one of the best chief executives we have had. She always gave me good advice and she cared deeply about the district.

"We were friends as well as colleagues and I will miss her a lot."

Mrs Hughes leaves a husband Ken, daughter and son-in-law Stella and Steven Tabberer and grandsons Jacob and Callum.

A funeral service is being held in Bishop Auckland Methodist Church on Friday at 10am.

Her family have asked friends not to send flowers but to leave donations at the church for the MARA Unit at Bishop Auckland General Hospital and the District Nurses Fund, in recognition of their exceptional care.