Warm tributes were paid today to former Fakenham mayor Brenda Coldrick who died at her home on Tuesday night.

It is believed that Ms Coldrick, who was, until her death, a member of Fakenham Town Council, went into a cardiac arrest.

Ms Coldrick, who was 73 and lived in Fakenham, was well-known in the town for her tireless voluntary work.

She was chairman of trustees for Citizens Advice North Norfolk and, before that, of the Fakenham and Wells branch of the Citizens Advice Bureau, before the organisation was restructured. She also volunteered for the Fakenham charity First Focus and, in the past, has represented Fakenham on North Norfolk District Council.

Fiona Fraser, chief officer for Citizens Advice North Norfolk, said: 'Brenda's death is such a shock. I spoke to her yesterday lunch time; we spoke about meeting up together and she seemed fine.

'She has been a very good friend to me and she was extremely passionate about fairness and justice. She has done so much work for so many organisations in Fakenham and she has touched many people's lives.

'Whenever you called her at home she was hardly ever there because she was always out doing something, but when you did get hold of her she was always willing to listen and do what she could to help.

'She was a powerhouse for defending what she believed in and she had a wonderful sense of humour. I will miss her enormously.'

Gloria Lisher, a fellow member of Fakenham Town Council, said: 'Brenda has given up so much of her time to help the people of Fakenham through the various organisations she has been involved with.

'She was a very active person and she did everything with such enthusiasm and energy.'

She added: 'From what I understand this was completely unexpected and Brenda was thought to be in good health.'

Ms Coldrick had two daughters, named Amanda and Jennifer, and three grandchildren.