TRIBUTES have been paid to a mum-of-three and long-serving councillor at a Tendring Council meeting.

Sarah Candy, a former Tendring Council and Essex County Council cabinet member, died aged 47 on April 19.

Husband and outgoing council chairman Neil Stock did not attend the lastest meeting, but asked chief executive Ian Davidson to thank all those who sent messages of support.

Fellow Conservative Nick Turner said: “Sarah has touched all our lives in one way or another. For us Conservatives, it has been very much for the better, as it has for this council. She has left an indelible mark and I, for one, will miss her very much.”

Opposition Labour councillor John Hawkins said she had had “a great intellect, decisiveness and strength of character”.

A funeral service took place at St George’s Church, Great Bromley, on Friday.

She leaves her husband Neil and three children – Tabitha, 14, Trinity, 13, and Felix, 11.