An animal lover from Maidstone who helped home more than 6,000 dogs across her lifetime has died aged 89.

Family members have remembered Betty Pearson, who worked for the RSPCA in the County Town for more than 30 years, as "a very, very special person who loved life".

Mrs Pearson lived with husband Earnest, 90, in Newbury Avenue, Allington, and received an MBE in 2008 for her services to animal welfare.

Daughter Jacqui Wright, 62, said: "She was really well known in the community, people always came up to us and talked about her.

"We used to get about 250 Christmas cards every year and she would then have to try and return the favour.

"We still get plenty of people telling us how their dogs were getting on - she always had such a love for animals.

"She was really amazing, a very, very special person who loved life.

"She never complained about anything in life and was totally selfless."

Mrs Pearson passed away on March 11 and her funeral will be held at Vinters Park Crematorium, Maidstone, on Tuesday, April 2 at 2.45pm.