TRIBUTES have been paid to a "wonderful" councillor of 40 years and community stalwart.

Cllr Edwina Davies, of Penyffordd, has died aged 79 following an 18-month battle with a lung and heart condition and was said to be a hugely respected figure in the local community who will be sorely missed.

Cllr Davies, who is survived by husband Stan and son's Michael Davies, Ian Davies and daughter Sally Johnstone, served as a Penyffordd community councillor for 40 years, and as a district councillor on the old Alyn and Deeside District Council for 20 years.

Penyffordd Community Council paid tribute to her.

A spokesperson said: "Edwina had served her community as a councillor for over 40 years, together with her involvement in many other clubs, societies and organisations.

"This is a wonderful achievement and showed passion and dedication to her community.

"She will certainly be sadly missed by the community council and I am sure by the community as a whole."

She was well known for being a hugely prominent figure in the local community, serving on the Penyffordd and Penymynydd War Memorial Institute and Penyffordd Youth Club committees, as well as being chair of the Penyffordd junior football club.

Claire Metcalfe, vice chair of the Penyffordd War Memorial Institute, said: "We are terribly sad to hear the news of Edwina’s passing.

"She was a hard working member of the Penyffordd War Memorial Institute committee for a considerable number of years and dedicated a huge amount of her spare time to helping support at our fundraising events and rallying support from the community.

"She had strong ideas and opinions and her sole focus was always how we could help drive improvement to the community offering in our village.

"Her involvement on the community council always helped create a bridge of communication between our two hardworking community groups in the village and allowed us to work together to share ideas and initiatives.

"Our thoughts are with the family at this sad time, there will be a huge gap in our committee room and we will miss her terribly. Rest in peace, Edwina."

Cllr David Williams, Penyffordd county councillor, said: "Edwina was a prominent member of the community and worked very hard to try to improve amenities in the village.

"She always spoke her mind but for the right reasons and had strong beliefs which was hugely respected by us all.

"She was totally committed to her family and will be missed by everyone who knew her - it is a big loss to the community."

Cllr Davies' daughter Sally paid a touching tribute to her.

She said: "Mum was just brilliant – she was our world. She did so much in the community, and was always helping people out.

"And it's only in the wake of her death that I realise just how much she did, with so many people sending me messages of how she helped them at different times.

"She was just a wonderful mum and nana to her six grandchildren, but her work in the community was equally amazing.

"As well as being a councillor, and serving on the committees she did, she also helped set up the Penyffordd summer carnival and gave up her time to volunteer at the former special school Ysgol Belmont in Buckley and took the children out on school trips.

"Her death has left a huge hole in our hearts and she will be missed so much."