HUNDREDS of people packed into a village church for a memorial service for a community stalwart.

The service, which was held at St Andrew's Church, Kirkby Malzeard, near Ripon, was in memory of 73-year-old Audrey Mackenzie, who died in Harrogate District Hospital on Saturday, November 20.

Mrs Mackenzie and her husband, Roy, were making plans to celebrate their golden wedding.

The Rector of Fountains, the Reverend Robert Sellers, conducted the service, assisted by the Rev Stuart Ellis, the local Methodist minister.

A former Rector, Canon Tony Keddie, said Mrs Mac-kenzie had "really found her niche" when moving to Kirkby Malzeard from Hull with her family and was involved in life at the heart of the community.

"You would have thought she had lived there for years. She was a very positive influence in the place," he said.

An active member of St Andrew's Church Council, Mrs Mackenzie was also involved in the Highside Stitchers' Group, which made community banners featuring village scenes, the Mechanics' Institute, and amateur dramatics.

"She certainly played her part in village life to the full and was always positive in difficult situations and a person who always had a ready smile," said Mr Keddie.

"She had a sense of fun and a real zest for life."

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said a man was on police bail after helping with inquiries in relation to Mrs Mackenzie's death.

"To date, the position has not changed," said the spokes-man. "A man is still on police bail. A post-mortem examination proved inconclusive and we are awaiting results of further tests."