A FORMER Redditch councillor who helped set up two town charities has died after losing her battle with ovarian cancer.

Sarah Sulley, 54, was the daughter of Pat Wilson, a former councillor and town mayor who died in August aged 79.

Ms Sulley, who had three of her own children and was full-time guardian to a fourth, was a Conservative councillor for Crabbs Cross ward for eight months during 2002/03.

Ms Sulley, who died on October 17, was an officer for Birmingham City Council. When she was promoted to an even more senior position, she was told that she would not be able to serve on Redditch Council any more so had to step down.

At a Redditch Council meeting on Monday, Liberal Democrat councillor Nigel Hicks said: "She was the best councillor I have ever known. I wish she had been a Liberal Democrat."

And Councillor Betty Passingham, who had know Ms Sulley since she was young, fought back tears at the meeting, describing her as a "wonderful person".

Conservative group leader Councillor Carole Gandy said: "I never served on the council with her but we did sit on various committees together and all the knowledge she had gained through her job at Birmingham City Council proved invaluable to us. She was a very articulate and intelligent woman.

"She served as a volunteer for the Citizens Advice Bureau and helped set up Crossways women's refuge and Step Out Drop In, a charity which used to support young homeless people.

She did a lot of good for the people of Redditch."

Mrs Gandy's husband Barry, a county councillor, said: "She was a remarkable lady and will be missed.

"The saddest thing is her children have lost their mother and grandmother in such a short space of time."