TRIBUTES have been paid to Rosalind Morrison, the Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Worcestershire, following her death at the age of 74.

Lady Morrison died in hospital following a heart operation on Friday, with the news of her death revealed by Lord-Lieutenant of Worcestershire Lt Col Patrick Holcroft on Wednesday.

Robin Walker MP said he had been shocked by the news having seen Lady Morrison during one of her last public engagements, a Battle of Britain event in September.

The MP said: "She was a great supporter of many good causes in the county, a great servant to the county. She is someone who will be sadly missed."

The Dean of Worcester, the Very Reverend Peter Atkinson, said: "The honourable Lady Morrison, Rosalind to her wide circle of friends, was an unfailing friend, supporter, and encourager of the work of Worcester Cathedral.

"She was passionate about the music of the Cathedral - she chaired the Music and Light Appeal, which enabled the building of a new organ in 2008.

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"Her last visit to the Cathedral, a fortnight before her untimely death, was to hear the girl choristers sing.

"In 2008 she was elected the president of the Friends of Worcester Cathedral, and she chaired the annual meetings with her customary dignity and wit.

"As deputy lieutenant of the county from 2006, high sheriff in the year 2011, and more recently vice lord lieutenant, she had many official duties at the Cathedral.

"She was always early, always immaculate, always charming.

"It is hard to think that we shall not see her in the Cathedral again. May she rest in peace."

John Bawden, chairman of St Richard’s Hospice's Board of Governors, said: “Lady Morrison served as a governor of St Richard’s Hospice during the 1990s when very important decisions were taken regarding the development of the hospice.

"She continued to be very supportive of the charity, including hosting Worcestershire Women of the Year Luncheon at Madresfield Court.

"We are very grateful for all her work in support of our care.“

When Lady Morrison of Madresfield Court was officially chosen as the new High Sheriff of Worcestershire in 2011, she became the first person to occupy the office since 1974 after the Worcestershire and Herefordshire posts were separated again.

Lady Morrison's aunt was Lady Dorothy Heber-Percy, formerly Lygon, who died in 2001.

Lady Dorothy's family seat was Madresfield Court near Malvern, and the family is thought to have inspired Evelyn Waugh's most famous work, Brideshead Revisited.

Lady Dorothy's father - Lady Morrison's grandfather - was the 7th Earl Beauchamp, with Lady Morrison chairing the charity the Beauchamp Community at Newlands, which was originally endowed by her family.