TRIBUTES have been paid to a former Denholme woman who was found dead in the canal near Bingley.

West Yorkshire Police said on Wednesday that the body of a woman, in her 30s, had been recovered from the Leeds and Liverpool Canal that morning.

There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances.

The woman has been named locally as Lucy Spafford.

Lucy, 34, had lived in a narrow boat on the canal for about three years.

She was born in Bradford but grew-up in Denholme, attending Bingley Grammar School.

She studied towards an art degree in London for two years, before returning home to finish her final year, then moving onto a part-time Masters.

Woodstack Festival, an annual private mini-festival which Lucy had been part of, posted on its Facebook page to pay tribute to her.

The post said: “It is with immense sorrow we announce that our very own Woodstack roadie, Lucy Grace Spafford, has passed away.

“At 10am onwards from today (November 26) people will be able to place flowers or light a candle in remembrance, at an area beside her boat at Dowley Gap.”

Lucy was described as a well-loved daughter, friend and member of the community.

A large number of people went to the canal towpath, near The Fisherman's Inn, to pay their respects.

At the side of the towpath, there were heartfelt tributes, bouquets of flowers and candles left. The tributes were centralised around a mini glass house, which had Lucy’s name on top of it and contained various candles and incense sticks.

One of the tributes said: “To our Lucy, RIP our beautiful friend. We couldn’t have wanted for a better mate, kind, thoughtful, friendly, loving.

“It breaks our hearts to say goodbye, but we will never forget you.

“We all have memories of our nights out, crazy nights in that we will all cherish forever. Love you to the moon and back.”

It was signed off by 23 different names and “100s more people whose lives you have made better”.

Another said: “Lucy, thank you for so many happy memories. We will miss you so much.”

One bouquet had a note attached which read: “Lucy, you were such a big part of my formative years and I cannot thank you enough for that.”