Friends and colleagues have been paying tribute to former mayoress and town councillor Mrs Christine Prosser, who died at her home in Clifton Road, Abergavenny on Sunday following a long battle with cancer.

Mrs Prosser was the wife of Monmouthshire County Councillor and Abergavenny Town Councillor John Prosser, mother to Lucy and Peter and grandmother to Orson and Bertie.

She served on Abergavenny town council from 2004 to 2008 and became mayoress when John was elected mayor in 2008 - a year of hectic twinning activities.

Town Clerk Peter Johns said: "Christine had been a personal friend of my wife and I ever since I became town clerk. We were so sad to hear the news.

"I don't think you would find anyone with a negative word to say about her. She was an open, friendly and generous person and always very positive. It's a tremendous loss."

Mrs Prosser had worked as a volunteer at the British Heart Foundation shop in Cross Street since 2002.

Manager Deborah Healey said all her colleagues and the shop's regular customers were shocked and upset to hear of her death.

"Christine was very friendly, helpful and reliable and she was loved by everyone."

From the moment Christine and John Prosser came to live in Abergavenny in December 1999 they threw themselves into public life and local organisations.

Mrs Prosser joined the Ladies Guild and for the past few years had been its been chairman, organising many of its events. The August mystery coach trips which she and her husband arranged were especially popular.

They both joined Abergavenny Light Opera Company, taking part in the 2000 production of The Mikado and several shows since. They also played for the Abergavenny Petanque Club.

In addition, Mrs Prosser was a member of the Beaupreau Twinning Association, the Oestringen Twinning Association, Abergavenny Conservative Women's branch and the Tourist Association and was a former president of Abergavenny Moose women's section.

She was an enthusiastic supporter of the Medical Missionary News, which supports the Chavuma Mission in Zambia, and had knitted several colourful blankets for the babies born there.

Christine Prosser celebrated her 70th birthday at home on January 1, surrounded by family and friends including grandsons Orson and Bertie and son Peter, who started a new job in the US just two weeks ago.

She died with her husband and daughter Lucy at her side - poignantly just a day before she and John would have celebrated their 19th wedding anniversary.

The funeral will take place at St Mary's Church, Abergavenny on Thursday, February 2 at 1.15pm, followed by cremation at Gwent Crematorium.