Mourners packed Cromer church to say farewell and thank you to a woman who devoted her life to serving the town.

Eastern Daily Press: Vera Woodcock at home.Vera Woodcock at home.

Vera Woodcock was a councillor for 60 years, and leading light in its Christmas illuminations for 35 years, as well as supporting many other local voluntary groups.

She also set many youngsters on course for their working lives as a careers officer.

Three hundred people from all walks of life gathered for her funeral in the parish church, where the vicar the Rev Canon Dr David Court said praise a 'life incredibly well-lived' with a huge sense of civic duty and commitment, combined with concern and kindness.

The key qualities of courtesy, co-operation and common sense' she once extolled during a school prizegiving speech also summed up Mrs Woodcock, who was 86, he added.

Daughter Caroline's tribute flagged up other C's which summed up her mother's qualities = compassionate, cheeky, clever, cheerful, calm, and caring.

She was a catalyst who made things happen and was not afraid to speak her mind, even if it was sometimes controversial.

Mrs Woodcock had a spell in the police in the 1940s, making national press headlines as the first woman to top the training course, before switching to the careers service between 1951 and 1986.

In 1952, aged 25, she was elected to the Cromer urban district council, serving the town for 60 years. Her time as a North Norfolk District Council member included being chairman in 2001-2. In 1986 she was made an MBE for her services to the community.

Mrs Woodock was also secretary of the town festive lights, as well as helping with the carnival, In Bloom, jubilee committee, football club, hospital, and town twinning, along with fundraising for play equipment in Fearns Field near her Suffield Park home.

She launched the Cromer honours scheme, and served on the Goldsmiths Trust, making grants to local students.

Even after losing the use of an arm in she continued to work hard and enjoy life, the funeralgoers were told.

Town councillor Tony Nash praised Mrs Woodcock for immersing herself in town life, adding her presence would be missed in the council chamber.

Carnival chairman and close friend Tony Shipp said: 'Vera touched so many lives' and was a 'one woman citizens' advice bureau' to whom people turned for help.

The passing of someone who could 'quite rightly be called Mrs Cromer' was the end of an era.

The vicar also said Mrs Woodcock also had a sense of humour, as shown by Christmas lights stalwart's choice of music as her coffin was carried from the church. Jingle Bells.