Tributes have been paid to a former mayor and "force of nature".

Jane Welsh, an Eastleigh Borough councillor who served two terms as mayor, died on March 26.

Having served the council for decades, she briefly retired from the council to take care of her husband, before returning three years ago.

Cllr Welsh represented Hedge End South for the Liberal Democrats, and was mayor from 1999 to 2000, and from 2015 to 2016.

Councillor Keith House, Leader, Eastleigh Borough Council, said: "Jane was a force of nature.

"For well over 50 years, she supported a vast range of community groups and charities in Hedge End, where she lived and Hamble, where she worked.

"I always said Jane was the youngest member of our team, well into her mid-80s, because she never learned to say 'no': nothing was too much effort.

"Our millennium mayor, who later served a rare second term, Jane retired from the council to care for her husband, then came back just three years ago, as there was always more to do.

"Jane's passing is a massive loss to her family, her friends, and all of the community in Hedge End and across the borough.

"Jane was truly unique. We will miss her immensely."

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As mayor of Eastleigh, she launched the Solent Blue Line's fleet of easy-access low-floor double-decker buses in 1999, unveiling a plaque to comedian Benny Hill close to the former site of Hann's Dorset Dairies, and raising money for the bandstand on Lower Northam Road Village Green Hedge End, which was unveiled in 2017.

A by-election will now be held in Hedge End South, with a date to be confirmed.