TRIBUTES have been paid to former parish councillor, poet and prolific letter writer Theresa Hughes.

Mrs Hughes of Haswell Plough, east Durham, who was the mother of former North-East MEP Stephen Hughes, died peacefully in Jack Dorman Care Home, in Horden.

The 88-year-old started her working life on the Co-op delivery cart, driving the horses in the Haswell area.

She was well known by most people in the village and surrounding communities villages as the youngest daughter of Jane Ann and Joseph Skipsey, the local barber who had a shop on Front Street.

Mrs Hughes, the great-niece of Pitman Poet Joseph Skipsey,

followed the family tradition of writing poetry writing and would compose verses for family members and friends on their birthdays and other occasions. Some of her poems were published.

A former parish councillor and active member of Haswell History Group, she was a prolific letter writer to The Northern Echo during the 1980s and 90s, often commenting on political and social issues of the day.

On a visit to St Petersburg with her church, she wrote a scathing letter of complaint to President Vladimir Putin for the lack of disabled toilet facilities in the city. She was bitterly disappointed that the president did not reply.

Mrs Hughes is also survived by husband Jim, daughter Maureen, eight grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Her funeral will be at Our Lady of Lourdes RC Church, Fleming Field, Shotton Colliery, at 11.30am on Thursday.