A former mayor who dedicated her life to supporting her town has died following a short illness.

Tributes are being paid to Anita Walker who is said to have been "Faversham through and through".

She was born and grew up in the town and had a number of clerical jobs, including at the police station and an accountancy firm and later served as Mayor of Faversham and then the Mayor of Swale.

Anita, who lived in St Mary's Road, entered local politics after being encouraged to join the Conservatives by former long-serving councillor Peter Lee-Roberts.

She served on the town council from 2000 to 2019 and was town mayor in 2010 and 2011 before serving as Mayor of Swale in 2015/16.

Current town mayor, Cllr Trevor Martin says Anita's focus was always on doing what she thought was best for Faversham and its residents.

"She was Faversham through and through and I had a lot of respect for her, even though we were on opposite political sides," he said.

"Never overtly political, she was happy to work across parties if it was for the general good of the town.

"She just threw herself into everything and with a great sense of humour.

"I last saw her at the judging of Miss Faversham and she was on good form, as usual."

Cllr Martin says he was also grateful to Anita for the support and advice he gave her when he got the chain of office.

Away from local politics, Anita was an avid knitter who held regular craft shows in the town.

She was also keen on performing in amateur dramatics, particularly plays and musical theatre.

Anita celebrated her 80th birthday last September with a party at the town's Alexander Centre at which her musician nephew Andy Harlow performed.

"She was surrounded by friends and family and loved it," he said.

One of Anita's best friends of more than 50 years, Margaret Abram says she was more like a member of her own family.

"Faversham was her life and passion and her death has come as a great shock to us, " she said.

"She was admitted to the William Harvey Hospital and appeared to be doing well but then suddenly went downhill and died on March 29."

Anita was previously briefly married but did not have children.

Her funeral has not yet been arranged.