WARM tributes have been paid to the Maidstone county councillor Margaret Featherstone who has died at the age of 72.

Cllr Featherstone was first elected to KCC as the Liberal Democrat councillor for Maidstone North East in 1993, when her party joined forces with Labour to run the county council for the first time, until 1997.

In that time, she followed her passion for childcare by being an active member of both KCC’s education and social services committees, as well as becoming co-chairman of the council’s Children and Adult Services committee.

It was an interest she pursued throughout her time as a county councillor, and at the time of her death she was her party’s spokesman on KCC’s Children’s Champion Board and on the NHS Scrutiny Committee.

She was also a governor of Maidstone’s Valley Park Community School and was actively involved in its establishment.

Liberal Democrat group leader Cllr Trudy Dean said: “Margaret was a much-loved and respected member of the council. Her passion was for the quality care and education of children, especially in their early years, and she worked tirelessly to achieve this.

“Her professional background meant she always spoke knowledgeably, and commanded a great deal of respect both from colleagues and staff.

“She was also a keen environmentalist, fiercely protective of the area she represented and deeply involved with its community life. She will be very greatly missed.”

KCC chief executive Peter Gilroy said: “I worked closely with her in social services, and her passion was to make a difference. She recognised the importance of good-quality, early-years education and she made a massive contribution to that in Kent.”

Cllr Featherstone died at Guys Hospital after becoming ill following major chest surgery. She is survived by husband John, children Sheila and Simon and four grandchildren.

A book of remembrance is available to sign in County Hall until May 20.