FIVE years ago this week, an MP killed as she met with her constituents had been described as a ‘great star’, a ‘much loved colleague’ and someone who ‘believed in a better world’.

Labour MP Jo Cox – a mother of two young children – was attacked by a man reportedly shouting “Britain first”.

A 52-year-old man, described by residents as “a loner” was arrested not far from the scene in Birstall, West Yorkshire.

Mrs Cox, 41 at the time, was elected at the 2015 General Election in Batley and Spen. Colleagues described her as one of the brightest and most popular at Westminster.

Prime Minister David Cameron said: “We’ve lost a bright star. She had a big heart and people are going to be very, very sad at what has happened.”

While Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: “Jo died doing her public duty at the heart of our democracy, listening to and representing the people she was elected to serve.”

The most poignant tribute came from her husband, Brendan who said: “Today is the beginning of a new chapter in our lives. More difficult, more painful, less joyful, less full of love.”

She would have wanted two things to come from her death, he had said: “One that our precious children are bathed in love and two, that we all unite to fight against the hatred that killed her.”

Middlesbrough and East Cleveland MP Tom Blenkinsop knew Mrs Cox personally. He said her death had left him numb and devastated and called for the security of MPs and their staff to be looked at in light of this incident and what he said was a general increase in the threat level.

Also that week, a historic Darlington toy shop had closed its doors for the final time after racking up more than £150,000 worth of debt.

The owners of family business, Lamb’s Toys, which had stood as a cornerstone in Cockerton since 1965, was forced to ask business turnaround specialists for help after company accounts were put on hold the previous year.

But Lamb’s Toys directors, John Lamb, and his sister, Jacqueline Hayman, were told their well-loved business could not be saved from liquidation.

Meanwhile, despite Darlington’s best efforts to save the town’s historic Crown Street Library from closure, plans to shut the building were set to be finalised by councillors.

Thousands of protesters, campaigners and volunteers, dedicated to protecting the landmark gifted by Edward Pease 131 years ago, had hoped it could have been protected from council cuts.

But despite receiving support from internationally acclaimed authors and arts groups, Darlington Borough Council had decided to go ahead with relocating the library in an effort to save more than £100,000.

The Northern Echo’s campaign to save the building was supported by more than 6,420 readers. More than 3,200 surveys were returned to the council with 91 per cent of those taking part disagreeing with the proposed closure.