A FORMER Guide commissioner who gave 17 years to the Girl Guide movement has died.

Elizabeth Harding, who was 77 and lived with her husband, Stanley, in Witton-le-Wear, County Durham, was born in Sunderland, where her father, Thomas Donkin, was borough engineer.

She became Durham County Guide Commissioner after working as district and divisional commissioner, and enjoyed camping trips to Whitworth, near Spennymoor, and Cotherstone, in Teesdale, both County Durham.

Mrs Harding, who was also known as Bet, was respected as a first-class cook and led a group at the International Girl Guide Camp at Raby Castle, Staindrop, County Durham, in the Nineties.

She also chaired the Wearside Ladies Circle group.

After she and her husband moved to Witton-le-Wear in 1983, she served as a governor at the village primary school and was vice-chairman of the Women's Institute.

Mr and Mrs Harding were both volunteers at Auckland Castle, where they celebrated their golden wedding in December 2004 by renewing their vows in St Peter's Chapel.

They shared the celebration with their son, Paul, who is an accountant in Toronto, Canada, and daughter Jennifer McDermot, a London solicitor, and grandchildren Patrick and Helen McDermot.

Mr Harding, a retired solicitor, said: "She was a very dedicated volunteer worker. She will be sorely missed by her family and friends."

A funeral service at St Philip and St James Church, Witton-le-Wear, at 11am on Monday will be followed by private cremation at Durham.