Tributes have been paid to a former Allerdale mayor described as a pillar of the community.

Margaret Snaith (pictured) died on Monday at the age of 83 after a short illness.

Mrs Snaith served as an Allerdale councillor serving Silloth between 1995 and 2015.

She was also a parish councillor for her hometown for 13 years until 2013.

Her son Jim, 63, said serving as mayor between 1999 and 2000 was an ambition come true.

"She cared about politics and things being right.

"She was very knowledgeable and when people asked questions or wanted her to do something they knew they were getting a factual answer.

"She didn't suffer fools, she she was a people's person."

Jim now runs the Silloth Motorcycle Museum and said his mother loved sitting at the window, watching birds and everyone would wave at her.

Mrs Snaith leaves her son Jim and his wife Sue, grandchildren Tanya and David and great-grandchildren Jimmy, Tia, Jack, Daisy and Lily.

Her husband Jim died 12 years ago.

Mrs Snaith served as a councillor member of the labour group on Allerdale until 2007 and became independent until 2015.

She was also mayor of Silloth between 2003 and 2004.

Jim said one of his mother's proudest achievements was stopping Silloth's St Paul's school from being knocked down.

It has now been turned into the Discovery Centre.

"She was a lovely person and I had some lovely messages from people on whom she made a big impact."

The leader of Allerdale council, Marion Fitzgerald, also paid tribute to Mrs Snaith.

"She was an impressive lady who was certainly unafraid to speak her mind and tell it straight.

"She was a long-serving councillor who represented her community not only on Allerdale Borough Council but also Silloth Town Council and was highly respected in the area for her work. There is no doubt she will be missed deeply by those who knew her.

"I first met Margaret back in 2010 when I attended a meeting of Allerdale's Development Panel as a member of the public and I have missed her presence on the Council in recent years. I would like to send my condolences to her family and friends at this sad time."

Margaret Snaith's funeral will take place on January 30 at 11.40am at Carlisle Crematorium