Death of former Burnley MP's secretary, dedicated fundraiser and parish councillor

Mrs Eileen Ashworth attended every meeting and event organised by the committee and she was famed for the raffles she would organise at each one, assisted by her only daughter, Kath Haworth.

Mrs Ashworth had also been a member and secretary of the Friends of Pendle Community Hospital for 30 years and a councillor with Habergham Eaves Parish Council for 20 years.

She was also secretary for the former Burnley MP Dan Jones who held the post from 1959 to 1983.

Former Mayor Coun. Anne Kelly described Mrs Ashworth as 'a lovely lady who never made a fuss.'

She said:"Eileen was always there at every function ever held, working away quietly.

"She was someone you could rely on and trust and she became quite famous for her raffles."

Born in Birmingham Mrs Ashworth moved to Burnley as a child during the Second World War.

The city, and the company where Mrs Ashworth's father worked, had been badly bombed and he was one of the men appointed to set it up in Burnley. The company was Lucas Aerospace which was to become a major employer in the county for thousands of people.

The family were only supposed to stay in Burnley temporarily but they ended up making it their permanent home.

Mrs Ashworth went to Rosehill Infant and Junior School and the former Habergham Technical High School.

Married to the late Frank Ashworth, who was a Burnley councillor, Mrs Ashworth worked in senior administration at Burnley Council for many years.

Mrs Ashworth enjoyed reading, eating out with friends and she was also a member of Burnley Golf Club.