The funeral of a long-serving and well-respected former councillor and mayor takes place this morning.

Bronwen McGarrity, who was also a Freeman of the Borough of Gravesham, died on Christmas Day after battling ill-health for several months.

Her civic funeral will be held at St George’s Church, Church Street, Gravesend, today at 11.30am, and will be led by The Reverend Jim Fletcher, Rector of St George’s.

For those unable to attend, the funeral will be streamed live. Click here for details.

Mrs McGarrity, 86, served at Gravesham council for the Conservatives between 2003 and 2011 in Central Ward and again from 2015 to 2019 for Coldharbour Ward.

In 2019 she was awarded the freedomship and served as mayor in 2009.

Alongside her work as a councillor, Mrs McGarrity supported and worked with a range of groups and charities in Gravesham.