TRIBUTES have been paid to a former district councillor who has lost a brave battle against cancer.Penny Warburg had twice been given a clean bill of health after suffering from breast cancer, but last year was diagnosed with bone cancer.

TRIBUTES have been paid to a former district councillor who has lost a brave battle against cancer.

Penny Warburg had twice been given a clean bill of health after suffering from breast cancer, but last year was diagnosed with bone cancer.

Mrs Warburg, who had been a Suffolk Coastal district councillor for Melton and the parish council chairman, died on Sunday aged 52.

However, her bravery and dignity in dealing with the illness has touched hundreds of well-wishers and her family.

Husband Bill Warburg said: “She is a real example of suffering that awful disease with dignity.

“She was a very private person and she was amazingly brave and calm about it all. The way she looked at it, was that she had had a wonderful life and although she would have liked to live for another 20 years, if this was to be, this was it.

“She was a district councillor because she was not really worried about what was going on in the bigger world, she was more concerned about local people and the local community. Her main concern was other people.”

Mrs Warburg, of Melton, had breast cancer six years ago and she was given the all-clear after two years and then five years.

She celebrated the latter milestone with a party but then last year the bone cancer took over her body. She died in St Elizabeth Hospice, Ipswich.

Mr Warburg said: “The hospice staff were quite wonderful and I am totally full of praise for the dedication of the staff.

“I have already had 200 letters, which I can hardly read because I cry so much, all talking about her amazing bravery.”

A thanksgiving Service will be held today at 2pm at St Andrew's Church, Melton.