Memorial service for Eileen Sandford

About 80 people paid their final respects to former mayor of Shrewsbury Eileen Sandford at a memorial service today.

Civic leaders, friends and colleagues turned out at St Chad's Church at midday for the service, which was led by Reverend Mark Thomas.

Mrs Sandford, who was made an MBE by the Queen in 2004, died on May 5 aged 88 after being diagnosed with bowel and liver cancer.

Tributes were paid to the former Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council and Shropshire County Council member during the service today by Alan Poole and councillor Peter Nutting.

Mr Poole spoke about Mrs Sandford's life including growing up in Surrey and how she joined the RAF and later moved to Nigeria with her husband Hugh, an official in the colonial service.

The service heard how she had met Winston Churchill and had played tennis at Wimbledon, where her doubles partner was the father of racing driver James Hunt.

Councillor Nutting said Mrs Sandford was a friend as well as a colleague and said he would remember her as a person who was not afraid to stand up for her beliefs or her constituents.

He said: "She didn't know boundaries and when she was told no she wouldn't accept it.

"I regard Eileen as a true friend, loyal and determined but also very sparky and very fiery, someone who never gave up on things.

"I will always remember her cute little words, 'Peter will you buy a raffle ticket?' God bless you Eileen."