THE wife of an Ashford borough councillor has died from a heart attack. Pat Gillard, wife of Charing councillor Doug Gillard, died at home. She was 68.

Mrs Gillard was well known in Charing, where she and her husband lived for 38 years and ran the village store together.

She was a keen supporter of sport in Charing, helping at the village football club, cricket club and taking the role of secretary of Charing social club.

Mr Gillard said: "She will be greatly missed and she is a void that will never be filled in my life. It's an absolute tragedy."

The couple were married for 46 years and Mrs Gillard supported her husband in his work as a borough councillor and in his passion for football at Ashford Town Football Club.

"I can remember her now, standing at the gate at Ashford Town football club, selling programmes and tickets for many years," said Mr Gillard.

"She enjoyed sport really because of my involvement, and she always supported me. She liked doing things in the village as social secretary."

A year ago, Mr and Mrs Gillard were forced to sell their home in Charing and move to Weavers Way in South Ashford, so they could be closer to the hospital as Mrs Gillard's health worsened.

Mrs Gillard's funeral will be held tomorrow (Friday) at Charing crematorium at 4pm. Mr Gillard has asked for family flowers only and any donations to be given to the Paula Carr Diabetes Trust.