MEMBERS of the Romsey Show have paid tribute to a former winner and committee member after she died eight days after the death of her baby late in pregnancy.

Rob Bailey was still reeling from the death of his daughter Florence when his 34-year old wife Samantha Bailey also slipped away.

Sam, who won the Romsey Show in 2014 with her prize cows, was a New Forest farmer and estate agent, and was heavily pregnant when she suffered an epileptic fit and a bleed on the brain.

Florence was delivered by emergency c-section due to her mother’s illness but did not survive. Sam died eight days later, leaving friends and family in shock.

More than 250 mourners attended a double funeral at Hordle Church.

She joined the society’s farm committee in the 1990s and took home a variety of titles from the show.

A statement from the Romsey Agricultural and Horse Show Society said: “Sam has been a keen supporter of The Romsey Show since a young girl, exhibiting her family’s Tiptoe herd of Charolais cattle and last year, alongside her husband Rob, their Texel sheep flock.

“Every year at Romsey her animals took home many rosettes and cups! She was a committed and invaluable member who was always able to offer sound advice. Sam will be hugely missed by all at Romsey.”

Sam, of Lymington, worked at Spencers estate agency in Brookley Road, Brockenhurst, and was also a member of the New Forest Show cattle committee.

She met the Queen when she visited the show in 2012 as part of her Diamond Jubilee tour of the nation.

Four years later she was introduced to Sophie, Countess of Wessex, who was touring the showground at New Park, Brockenhurst, in her capacity as president of the show.

Sam and Rob, who met through their involvement with the event, were married less than two years ago.

Rob said: “Sam was a happy-go-lucky, larger than life kind of person who was always doing something and always put 110 per cent into everything she did.

“Sam was so generous and giving of her time, so much fun, so determined, so spontaneous.

“We are raising money for the Princess Anne Bereavement Fund. Something good has to come from all of this.”

Rob Batten, a director at Spencers added: “Sam was well known for her brilliant sense of humour - she was always smiling and kept everyone’s spirits up.

“We are completely devastated and will miss Sam hugely - especially her smile. Our thoughts are very much with her family. It really is so tragic.”