TRIBUTES have been paid to a kind-hearted and talented Bishop Auckland woman who has been described as the town’s own Mary Portas.

Margaret Ellis died on Tuesday, May 29 at the age of 56 following a short battle with cancer.

The former Bishop Auckland Grammar School pupil spent 13 years at the town’s chamber of trade, including some time as the chairwoman, battling to improve the High Street.

Her husband Colin, 58, said she suggested most of the ideas Mary Portas has recently announced as good ways to improve ailing town centres across the country.

“She came up with free parking and the red road and posts in Newgate Street were also her idea to brighten up the street,” he said. “She tried to do a lot but it was very difficult because no-one seemed to understand.”

Mrs Ellis started working life as a hairdresser and was awarded runner-up in the national student of the year competition. She continued this until the birth of her son, Richard, who is now 27.

She later joined her husband at the family-run business JC Ellis Euronics Centre until they decided to retire in 2006.

“We had six years (since retiring) which have been great,” said Mr Ellis. “We have had fun and tried to do a lot of things. It has been good.

“She could turn her hand to anything.”

The couple, of Dene Hall Drive, were married for 31 years having met in Silver Bugle, which is now the Tut ‘n’ Shive, in Newgate Street.

They enjoyed going to Italy and also took trips to Keswick in the Lake District.

Mrs Ellis enjoyed organising parties, cooking and making things. She learnt Italian and also took a woodwork course, which led to her designing the family’s garden furniture.

Richard said: “We loved her to bits. She was a wealth of advice and had time for everybody. I have always felt so lucky to have them as my parents. We were very close.”

The funeral was held at packed St Andrew’s Church and more than £800 was raised for Cancer Research.