WARM tributes have been paid to retiring Craven councillor Pat Fairbank by her former district council colleagues.

Mrs Fairbank, who has recently stepped down as Craven District Council's representative for Aire Valley with Lothersdale, was praised for her 'tenacious' and fighting spirit at last week's full council meeting.

Mrs Fairbank, who was presented with a number of gifts, including a framed photograph of a skeleton waiting at a bus stop - in recognition of her support of bus services - said she was sorry to be leaving the council.

She thanked all her colleagues and the officers, past and present, who had helped out with her inquiries as part of her duties as a ward councillor.

"Whenever I have had to speak to them, they were always polite and nothing was too much trouble. I thank all the members of the council for their friendship and support over the years. I shall miss very much the meetings and working alongside all of you," she said.

She also thanked her fellow ward councillor, Patrick Mulligan, for driving her to meetings, talked of all the many enjoyable occasions she had attended, and the residents of her ward for putting their trust in her.

"It has been a privilege and an honour," she said.

Kicking off the tributes, council chairman, Chris Moorby, said it had been with 'great sadness' that he learned of Mrs Fairbank's resignation.

"I've known Pat for five years and she has been a good friend. She has always called a spade a spade and said what she has thought, " he said.

Her fellow ward councillor, Patrick Mulligan, said he had been more than happy to act has her 'official driver' taking her to council meetings and that she would be 'sorely missed'.

"She has been a tenacious campaigner and first rate councillor for Aire Valley. There is so much respect for Pat, if any of us achieve that, it will be a job well done," he said.

Cllr Peter Madeley said Mrs Fairbank had commanded great respect from the community and it was that which made a great councillor.

"It is sad that it is time for her to go, but this place will be a sadder place without Pat here," he said, adding that the council needed more women members.

Council leader, Cllr Richard Foster, said Mrs Fairbank was one of the first members he had met when he joined the council 13 years ago.

He said she had never been one for sticking to the agenda in both group and council meetings and was always interested in waste collections and bus services.

Officers, he said, would always act on questions from Mrs Fairbank, or risk 'the wrath of Pat'.

He added she would be pleased to see the removal of the fully automated public toilets in Skipton Bus Station and their replacement with a traditional block.

"We don't know yet whether we will call them the Pat Fairbank Toilets, but we would like you to officially open them," he said.

Cllr Robert Heseltine said Mrs Fairbank was a 'breath of fresh air' and likened her to a terrier when she was fighting for something dear to her heart.

"She is a fine example to us all how to represent the people of Craven," he said.

Cllr Andy Solloway said she was a tough campaigner and independently minded.

"We would often block the aisles of Marks and Spencer, sorting something out. I'm saddened, but respectful of her decision to go. Craven will be a lesser place," he said.