DARLINGTON’S skies filled with pink and white balloons as tributes were paid to a popular council worker on Wednesday.

The friends and family of Tracy Wetherill marked the first anniversary of her death by releasing scores of colourful balloons and raising funds for cancer charities.

Ms Wetherill died at the age of 47 following a brave battle with metateses melanoma secondary brain cancer – a form of cancer her family believe is linked to her regular use of sunbeds.

Before her loved ones gathered to remember her at Darlington’s Market Square, Ms Wetherill’s mother and sister paid tribute to a woman who was known for her sense of humour, devotion to her family and ever-present smile.

They also spoke out in the hope of warning others about the dangers associated with sunbeds after learning that Ms Wetherill’s cancer was probably linked to her regular visits to tanning salons.

According to the charity Melanoma UK, around 90 per cent of melanoma diagnoses can be linked to exposure to ultraviolet rays from natural or artificial sources, such as sunlight and tanning beds – though UV light cannot be solely responsible for a diagnosis.

Ms Wetherill’s mother, Brenda Wetherill, said: “We were told that it was the sunbeds that may have started the cancer.

“The doctors never found a primary source of it but they believed it could have been a mole that went unnoticed or was microscopic.

“We think it is more than likely that Tracy’s cancer resulted from sunbeds – she went on them every other day, for quite a long time.”

Ms Wetherill’s sister Vickie Bester urged people to think twice before taking to the tanning bed, asking: “Is it really worth the tan?”

She paid tribute to her big sister, who she described as a best friend and mother figure, saying: “She would have loved the balloon release.

“By sending those balloons up, we hope she knows that everyone is thinking about her and that she is not forgotten and is loved by everyone.”

Money raised at Wednesday’s balloon release will be divided between Melanoma UK, which supports those affected by the condition, and The Brain Tumour Charity, which funds research and also offers advice and support.

Ms Bester said her sister – who was a housing officer at Darlington Borough Council - would have been touched by the colourful tribute and thanked all who had helped to arrange the event.

The council’s chief executive, Ada Burns, was among those who joined Ms Wetherill’s colleagues, friends and family for the balloon release.

Ahead of the event, she said: “Tracy was a long serving and valued member of staff who was determined to live life to the full and enjoy every minute.”