COLLEAGUES have paid tribute to Joan Massey, who died at the weekend after a battle against leukaemia.

Joan, aged 35, was an editorial assistant at the Warrington GUARDIAN for more than 11 years.

She had been ill since March and had only recently returned home after months in hospital at Liverpool Royal, then Warrington.

Joan, who lived in Rushgreen Road, Lymm, leaves her mum Doris and brother Andrew, 32.

Jan Lever, editorial director of the GUARDIAN, said: "Joan was a very valuable member of the team and will be greatly missed by us all. We have lots of fond memories of her."

After leaving Lymm Secondary Modern School, Joan started work for the Gas Board in Altrincham, before joining the GUARDIAN.

Her work focused mainly on typing in the sports reports, which she loved. She was a big fan of Ian Botham and particularly enjoyed typing the cricket, darts and dominoes reports.

She will be much missed not only for her work, but as a popular member of the team.

Mike Parsons, GUARDIAN sports editor, said: "Joan was dedicated in her crucial role within the team but always maintained a jovial and relaxed outlook on life which helped to maintain the morale of everyone around her when the pressure was on.

"She loved her job and the sports clubs and leagues in the town will not be able to appreciate exactly how much effort she put into typing their reports each week, especially to such an accurate level, too."

In her spare time Joan enjoyed swimming and was a member of Lymm Leisure Centre. Joan was a big fan of Abba music and loved dancing and cars. She enjoyed travel and especially looked forward to holidays abroad.

Her funeral takes place at Altrincham Crematorium, Dunham Massey, tomorrow, Friday at 11.30am.