A former Mayor of Hythe, Cllr Keren Belcourt, died suddenly at the weekend.

Cllr Belcourt was Mayor from 2009 for two years. She was still on Hythe Town Council and was also on Shepway District Council where she was cabinet member for housing.

She lived in Earlsfield Road, Hythe, with her husband Reg, who is also a Hythe town councillor.

Cllr Belcourt died at her home on Saturday night.

In 2011, while she was Mayor, she suffered burns to her face and arms in a freak accident. She dropped a pot of boiling curry at her home and it exploded in her face.

She had to wear a mask to protect her face but said at the time: "I could feel sorry for myself but there are people a lot worse off than me."

Cllr Belcourt had been on Shepway District Council for 16 years.

Council leader, Cllr David Monk, said: “Keren was a dedicated councillor and public figure. She was a star whose light shone brightly through everything she did. “

A council spokesman said: "She had a passion for housing and in particular making houses of a high enough quality that thousands of tenants could call them home.

"She will be greatly missed by all at Shepway District Council."

A post mortem is likely to be held.