The funeral service for former Falmouth town councillor, Diana Merrett, is to take place at Penmount Crematorium in Truro at 12.30pm next Thursday, June 15. It will be officiated by deputy mayor, Trish Minson, who is a funeral celebrant.

Di had represented the Smithick ward since 2007 and had been known as one of the hardest working members of the council. She did not seek re-election last month as she was too ill, having been diagnosed with lung cancer. She sadly lost that battle ten days ago, only days before what would have been her 69th birthday.

Her last weeks had been marred with tragedy - her mother, Dorothy May Scheppel, who Di had cared for for many years, had died in hospital at the age of 86, and then her son, David, died suddenly at their home in Conway Road at the age of just 48. She leaves one grand-daughter, Emma, aged 12, who lives with her mum, Marion Turton in Penryn.

Falmouth's mayor, Grenville Chappel, led the tributes following her death, saying: "She will be sadly missed. She was a lovely lady with a heart of gold."

In her last interview, Di, proudly told the Packet: "I have liked causing trouble. I don't think anyone can say I didn't stand up to be counted."