by Sian Napier

Hazel McCabe (pictured), Canterbury council's longest-serving councillor, has died.

She passed away early this morning (Saturday) at the Pilgrims Hospice in Canterbury.

It's understood she had been battling cancer.

Cllr McCabe was first elected onto the council in 1973 as a Conservative and represented Blean Forest continuously until her death.

The 82-year-old, who lived at Fleets Lane, Tyler Hill, served on the council's planning committee and planning sub-committee and its rural area north member panel.

She was also on the Kent Girl Guides Association, was vice president of Guide Dogs for the Blind, Canterbury, served on Action for Communities in Rural Kent and Canterbury Cathedral Council.

Until May this year she was Sheriff of Canterbury and was also a former Mayor serving from 1985 to 1986.

Cllr John Gilbey, leader of Canterbury council and fellow Blean Forest ward councillor, paid tribute to her.

He said: "Hazel was very much a traditionalist. She was an absolutely superb and correct Sheriff and she believed that if something needed to be done it should be done properly.

"She was someone who was deeply rooted in the past and was a horsewoman well into her seventies. She was a stalwart of the council and of our group."

Cllr Alex Perkins, Liberal Democrat leader on Canterbury council, said: "Hazel was quite probably the nicest person I've ever met.

"She was the first city councillor I ever spoke to, when as a 15 year-old I was campaigning to save The Old Marlowe Theatre in St Margarets Street.

"She was kindness itself - taking the time to explain everything and making sure all of our questions were answered. That's just how Hazel was. Simply lovely. She bought people together and always listened to everyone's point of view. We will ALL miss her."