FORMER Canterbury city councillor and Lord Mayor Marion Attwood has died following a long fight against cancer. She was 71.

Mrs Attwood, who represented Sturry South, had to give up her civic post last year and then her place on the council in May because of ill health. She lived at Lesley Avenue, Canterbury.

Mrs Attwood was being cared for at the Miramar Nursing Home in Herne Bay. She leaves a husband, Arthur, and three sons.

Mrs Attwood battled through one episode of cancer only to suffer a stroke soon after she was elected Lord Mayor in May 2005. She was later diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

Council leader Harry Cragg said: “She was an outstanding councillor, a person of whom it could be said she made a difference to people’s lives.”

Her funeral will be at 1pm at Barham Crematorium on Thursday, June 29.