A former council leader was given a standing ovation by colleagues in her final meeting as a member before next month's elections.

Fran Wilson, 76, has served as a Liberal Democrat councillor on Maidstone Borough Council for 24 years, twice becoming leader - firstly between 2007 to 2008 and then again in 2015.

However, she announced last month she would not be seeking re-election in May and colleagues from across the chamber paid tribute to her service over the last two decades.

Current leader Cllr Martin Cox (Lib Dem) said: "She has not stopped giving us brilliant advice, she has brought balance, support and thoughtful consideration to many of the problems we face.

"Her views are often from different angles that we may never have really thought about.

"She has also helped other councils with her peer reviews, so she has spread her wisdom far and wide.

"Many of the things she has done prove the legacy she leaves after May will probably outlive her."

Cllr John Perry (Cons) also paid tribute, saying: "I shall miss our philosophical discussions, of which we've had many, and I came to the conclusion afterwards that we have more in common than divides us.

"Not seeing you on the other side is going to be a very strange experience and one I will miss."

Leaders of other opposition groups also described Cllr Wilson as "an inspiration" and someone who was held "in high esteem across Kent".

After receiving gifts from the leaders of the two largest parties in the chamber, Cllr Wilson admitted she felt "quite emotional".

She added: "We all try to do the best we can and this council operates best when we reach out a hand to each other and try to work together.

"I don't mean we shouldn't have differences of opinion, if you have those, you should fight to get it across as much as you can, but when we forget that respect for each other, it all goes down the tubes.

"I work so hard not just because I enjoy the culture of the place but because of the people of this borough who are worth fighting for, and we should never forget that."

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