TRIBUTES have been paid to a long-serving Barry Town councillor and former Barry mayor, Jane Andrews who died this week.

Cllr Andrews served as a Labour town councillor from June 1999 to May 2008 and again from May 2017 to January 2018.

She was the mayor in 2003/04.

She served, in this term of office, on the halls, cemeteries & community facilities committee.

Barry Town Council flew its flag at half-mast from Tuesday, January 23 after hearing that Cllr Andrews, who represented the Cadoc ward, had died.

Labour BTC leader, Cllr Bronwen Brooks said: “I am deeply saddened to hear of the sudden passing of our friend and fellow councillor Jane, who gave many years of service to her residents in Cadoc ward, returning in May 2017 to serve again, as she still had more to give and cared greatly about people in Cadoc ward – as well as the greater town of Barry.

Jane was a dedicated and loyal councillor totally committed to standing up for people when they needed help or advice, and was also never afraid to stand up and be counted when it mattered. Jane was also a very funny person, with a dry wit that often made me laugh when times were challenging. I count myself lucky that I knew Jane and her presence will be sorely missed by all of us but she will be very fondly remembered.

Fellow Cadoc ward councillor, Neil Moore said he was deeply shocked.

Cllr Moore said: “I was aware that Jane had an illness, but her sudden death was a shock for everyone that knew her.

Jane was a dedicated councillor and returned to office after being elected to the town Council last May.

Jane had served as a Cadoc town councillor preciously and served as the town mayor with distinction at that time. Jane retired on the last occasion due to work commitments and returned to politics after retiring from her previous employment and wishing to give back something to the community in which she lived.

As a Labour councillor, Jane was diligent and committed to Cadoc ward and Barry and always took her duties seriously. If Jane believed that something needed to be done in the community, she would not let it rest until she got to the bottom of the problem and tried to resolve it, invariably successfully.

Jane was a good friend and colleague and will be sorely missed by those who knew her. My sympathy goes out to her immediate friends and family particularly to her mother.

Barry Town Council, Plaid opposition leader, Cllr Shirley Hodges added to the tribute.

She said: "I'm really sad to learn Jane has passed away. She was a former leader of the town council. Jane was always willing to listen and I admired her for straight talking and speaking her mind. I'm sure all the council will miss her."

Vale AM, Jane Hutt said: “I knew Cllr Andrews as an enthusiastic, lively and committed Mayor of Barry and a person who ‘gave her all’ as a Cadoc Labour councillor serving the people of Barry with her spirited belief in supporting the community with care and compassion.

“She will be greatly missed and my heartfelt sympathies are with her family, friends and fellow councillors.”