TRIBUTES have been paid to a long-serving "devoted" councillor who has died.

Linda Maloney, who served as a councillor for Blackbrook for 30 years, has been described as someone who was at "heart of the community".

She was 71-years-old, and had been first elected on to St Helens Council in 1994.

She was awarded an MBE for her services to local government in 2018 and has served as deputy mayor, a cabinet member, committee chair and deputy and chief whip during her three-decade career.

Among her achievements was campaigning for the Stanley Bank Way by-pass, which alleviated the area of traffic congestion and she fought to secure a new school at Ashurst Primary.

She also served as the first female vice chair of the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority during her 12 years with the authority.

READ > Body found in search for missing man

Leader of St Helens Borough Council Anthony Burns, who was a ward colleague of Cllr Maloney's, has paid tribute to her.

He said: “Firstly our thoughts go out to Mike and all of Linda’s family at this time, it is such a shock to us all that we have lost Linda, who was a great friend to so many and knew just what it meant to serve for the community she called home.

"Linda was devoted to the people of Blackbrook and truly was the heart of the community bringing people together, supporting residents through three decades with tireless dedication to them.

"I was privileged to have her as a ward colleague and she has supported so many councillors as one of the longest serving members of council as they took up their positions of office.”

A special council will be held on the day of Cllr Maloney’s funeral, with a date yet to be set.

During this councillors will pay their own tributes to a much missed colleague.