TRIBUTES have been paid to an east Cleveland councillor who died on Tuesday.

Barbara Bowater, 53, who represented the Grangetown ward on Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, died peacefully in the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough following a long battle against illness.

Councillor Vilma Collins, mayor of the borough, led the tributes and said: "I will remember her with great affection as a colleague and a friend - a dedicated councillor for the people she represented.

"She has been absolutely tremendous since she was first diagnosed with illness, never ever let anything get her down, always very cheerful and happy and fought with great determination."

Coun Bowater served on the former Langbaurgh District Council, becoming vice-chair of the housing committee before succeeding Coun Collins' husband, Terry, as chairman after his death.

She became chairwoman of housing for Redcar and Cleveland, then lead member for housing following the authority's political restructure last year.

A council tenant, Coun Bowater was a keen supporter of the authority's proposal to transfer council homes to a new not-for-profit organisation, which received an overwhelming "yes" vote in a tenants' ballot last month.

The council's director of housing, Iain Sim, said: "She was the catalyst for that move, making sure tenants got the best deal. It's so sad she won't be able to see the fruits of that labour.

"Everyone across the borough had respect for Barbara. She will be sadly missed."

Coun Bowater leaves a husband, Geoff, daughters Debbie, Diane, Sharon and Lindsey, stepchildren Glenn and Tracy, and 15 grandchildren.

Her funeral takes place at St Bede's Chapel, Teesside Crematorium, today at 3.30pm.