SARAH Haskett, a former Mayor of Maidstone and borough councillor for 26 years, has died at the age of 81.

Mrs Haskett, a Conservative, represented Bearsted Ward from 1976 to 2002, when she narrowly lost her seat in last May's local elections.

Until then she had been Maidstone council's longest-serving councillor and was mayor in 1986/7. Mrs Haskett replaced her late husband, Cllr Fred Haskett, on the council when she first won the seat in 1976. He died the previous year.

In December last year Bearsted Parish Council presented her with an engraved crystal fruit bowl in recognition of her 26 years service on the borough council.

Tributes to grandmother-of-three Mrs Haskett, who died on Monday, have poured in from friends and colleagues.

Mayor of Maidstone Cllr Morel D'Souza, said: "Maidstone has lost one of its most respected public servants. Sarah Haskett gave many years service to public life in Maidstone borough and to the constituents of Bearsted whom she served from 1976 to 2002.

"She was a successful councillor and mayor and was always willing to help others. She will be missed by all who worked with her and many other people."

Patrick Walton, the chairman of Bearsted Parish Council, said: "She gave great service to the parish for many years and she was a great campaigner to get things done.

"She was very forthright in her views but she was very, very dedicated to helping the people of Bearsted."

A full civic funeral service will be held at All Saints' Church, Maidstone, on Friday, August 15, at 11am followed by cremation at Vinters Park Crematorium.