One of the Helston area’s best known councillors has died, Cornwall Council confirmed this lunchtime.

Pam Lyne represented the St Keverne and Meneage area and has served on different councils for close to 40 years.

Mrs Lyne was elected to Kerrier District Council at its inception in 1974 and joined Cornwall County Council in 1985. She was a great advocate of planning and was the vice-chairman of the West Sub Area Planning Committee. Mrs Lyne oversaw the transition from the six districts and County Council to the unitary authority.

She has been described by Cornwall Council as “a true Independent councillor,” who strongly believed that independence was the best way to represent her constituents. She had previously been the Independent Group Leader for the County Council. Pat Harvey, chairman of Cornwall Council, said: “This is indeed very sad news. I was always impressed by Pam’s determination to fight for her constituents and for what she saw as fair and reasonable, even in the face of strong opposition. “She was a true Independent, an excellent councillor and good company. She was dedicated to planning issues which were very close to her heart and also played a great part in the transition to the unitary authority, also she will be remembered for her dry sense of humour.

“Her passing is a great loss to the council, to Cornwall and to democracy.”

Council leader Alec Robertson has been among the others paying tribute to Mrs Lyne.

He said: “Everyone is shocked and saddened to hear the news of Pam’s sudden death. Pam was a very experienced councillor who was always 100 per cent committed to Cornwall. “She worked hard for her community and was always willing to go the extra mile to ensure that she represented them to the best of her ability. “She was a real character who was never afraid to speak her mind on issues she felt strongly about - regardless of the consequences. She will be sadly missed and our thoughts are with her family at this time.”

John Wood, the leader of the Independent group on the council, said the news of Mrs Lyne’s death had come as “a very great shock.”

He added: “Pam was a tireless and hard working member of Cornwall Council and the Independent Group. She gave terrific service to the council, the group and her local community and will be sorely missed. She will be very hard to replace.”