The leader of Test Valley Borough Council has said that former mayor of Andover 'brought light to the lives of many', as he paid tribute to her.

As previously reported, Cllr Barbara long sadly died on Saturday, May 21, following a battle with cancer.

Paying tribute, TVBC leader Cllr Phil North said: "I was sorry to receive the very sad news over the weekend that the immediate past Mayor of Andover, Town Councillor Barbara Long, had passed away.

"Now that news has been released more widely, I wanted to pay tribute to the work she did serving the people of Andover - which she always carried out with passion and the utmost commitment. A dedication to the town that never waned, despite in recent years being hampered by her illness."

READ MORE: Tributes paid to former Mayor of Andover Barbara Long

He continued: "Having served with Barbara on the Town Council in the early days, I have fond memories of working with her on the Christmas Lights and Diamond Jubilee sub committees. Where her drive, determination and hard work between meetings meant she became the natural leader of those groups.

"A decade later, she was working just as hard on the Platinum Jubilee celebrations. It’s a sign of her kindness and strength of character that she was so closely involved in organising events that she knew she may not be able to see come to fruition but that other people would enjoy."

He added that "Barbara inherited the chairmanship of the town council at a particularly difficult time for the authority" but over the past year "worked hard to steady the ship".

He said: "Ultimately, Barbara was committed to making Andover a better place and I think too of her work organising the Shilling Fairs and the Pride of Andover Awards.

"I hope Nigel and the rest of her family will find comfort in the fact that she brought light to the lives of many people. Rest in peace, Barbara."

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