TRIBUTES have been paid to a former councillor who has been described as an “amazing advocate” for her constituents.

Brenda Vincent, who has died after a long period of ill-health, was a Liberal Democrat member of New Forest District Council and Lymington and Pennington Town Council.

She was a district councillor for Lymington’s Buckland between 2003 and 2007, serving on the planning committee, the leisure review panel and the appeals committee.

Mrs Vincent, who was in her seventies, lost her seat to a Conservative rival but continued to serve on the town council until last year.

She often clashed with members of the ruling Tory group and reacted angrily in 2014 after it was revealed that residents attending council meetings would be banned from asking questions.

Speaking at the time she said: “Most people are very polite and only want an answer – although I don’t often hear any given.”

Cllr David Harrison, leader of the Lib Dem opposition group on the district council, described Mrs Vincent’s death as a sad loss.

“Brenda was a very thoughtful person who was supportive but also very challenging, with a strong desire to make the world a better place,” he said.

“She had a cheerful disposition and made an important contribution to civic life. She will be greatly missed.

Lymington county councillor Jacqui England also paid tribute to Mrs Vincent, who lived on the Isle of Wight before crossing the Solent to care for her elderly mother.

She said: “Brenda was enormously respected for her cross-party work, her good governance and due diligence that crafted her political skills and experience she had acquired over the decades on many different councils the Bath City Council, Lymington and Pennington Town Council and the Isle of Wight County Council.

“She was an amazing advocate for her constituents.

“She was also immensely proud of her two sons, who will miss her as will her many friends in the areas she served.”