CIVIC chiefs striving to preserve the New Forest have paid tribute to a fellow campaigner who has died suddenly aged 73.

Sally Arnold was a member of the New Forest National Park Authority (NPA) and a former chairman of Ashurst and Colbury Parish Council.

NPA members held a minute’s silence at their meeting in Lymington yesterday after being told of her death.

The chairman, Oliver Crosthwaite-Eyre, said: “When she joined the authority in 2013 Sally already had an impressive record of public service.

“She was an active and respected member of her local parish council, which she chaired for 13 years. She was driven by a real love of the Forest and a desire to do all she could to preserve it for future generations.”

“Sally was a greatly respected and popular member of the authority and always took her role and responsibilities extremely seriously.”

Speaking on behalf of NPA staff the chief executive, Alison Barnes, added: “We all worked with Sally really closely and were devastated to hear about her passing.

“We always knew we had Sally’s strong support.

“She had a commitment to the Forest that was unshakeable. She was a dear, dear friend and colleague and we will miss her.”

A statement from the parish council said: “Sally dedication and enthusiasm for the parish council and the parish of Ashurst and Colbury was well known and greatly appreciated.”