HEARTFELT tributes have been paid to a woman who has been described as 'Alcestrian through and through', writes Helen Clarke.

And as councillor Wendy Weatherhead commented: "It would perhaps be easier to name the town charities and organisations that Meryl Payne had not helped and dedicated her time to over the years."

Mrs Payne, mother of two and proud grandmother of three, was born in what is now Rossini's restaurant, which was owned by her grandmother in the 1930s.

After passing her 11-plus, she went to the Grammar School.

She worked at Terry's Factory in Redditch for a time but then used her secretarial training to work in a solicitor's office.

When she was in her 20s she married Derek Payne, who owned a surgical needle company.

They had two children, Anne, who now lives in Redditch, and Richard, who lives in Stratford.

In the 1970s, Mrs Payne worked as secretary for St Faith's School before leaving to work with her husband.

A love of music and the piano is something which always remained with Mrs Payne from an early age - she was a founder member of Alcester Operatic Society and appeared in its first production, Iolanthe, in which she played a fairy.

But music was not her only interest. She also appeared on TV quiz Today's the Day in 1996 with her sister, Christine Tolman.

Miss Tolman said: "I got through to the video wall round and Meryl told me not to try too hard because she didn't want to have to go back the next day."

A dedicated Baptist, Mrs Payne played the organ in the church for many years.

As Miss Tolman said: "There was not a group in the town who would not approach Meryl if they needed a piano player."

It wasn't just through music that Mrs Payne helped people as her involvement with town organisations and charities was renowned.

Miss Tolman said: "She was involved in so many things, the Merry Wives of Alcester, the Darby and Joan Club, Macmillan Cancer Relief, Alcester Conservative Wives, Alcester British Legion, Alcester United Charities and she was also a town councillor."

Miss Tolman added: "I lived with her for two weeks after recovering from an operation and I never realised how much she did until then - I don't know how she found the time.

"She will be missed and remembered by so many people. I'm going to miss my sister so much, I always knew she was there for me."

Sylvia Hyde, from Alcester Macmillan Cancer Relief, said: "Meryl was a conscientious worker for us and she was always supportive with whatever we were doing to raise money.

"She was also a personal friend who will be sadly missed."

Mayor Eric Payne said: "She was so much a part of the town. I thought she was an excellent councillor who was never frightened to speak her mind when she felt strongly about something.

"Meryl really was Alcestrian through and through and she will be missed terribly by everyone who knew her."