Atherstone Town Councillor and community champion Lorna Dirveiks has died

Dedicated Atherstone Town Councillor and former long-serving North Warwickshire Borough Councillor Lorna Dirveiks has died.

Renowned for her can-do attitude, 82-year-old Coun Dirveiks served as a Labour borough councillor for Atherstone Central Ward for 12 years before stepping down in 2019.

She was also elected North Warwickshire Mayor in 2012/13.

Her husband Neil is a Labour borough and Warwickshire County Councillor.

Hailing from Hull, Coun Dirveiks 'cared deeply' about Atherstone and actively supported and championed the community.

Among other interests, she played a pivotal role in the Friends of Atherstone Heritage, including being instrumental in the creation of Atherstone Visitor & Heritage Centre.

She was also a trustee of the White Hart Community Groups, formerly the Volunteer Centre North Warwickshire.

Despite being diagnosed with cancer six years ago - at the time being given just six months to live - Coun Dirveiks continued to throw herself into her civic duties and supporting the community.

Coun Adam Farrell, Leader of North Warwickshire Borough Council Labour Group, told Atherstone Nub News: "Lorna was the very best of local government.

"As a councillor she cared deeply about local people and the community of Atherstone.

"She worked every day to make the lives of her constituents better, through improved services, individual casework and standing up for the values she deeply believed in.

"Her passing will be felt strongly across Atherstone and North Warwickshire and also in the Labour family across this region.

"We will miss her insight, her humour, her passion and her 'get stuck in' attitude.

"Our thoughts are with her husband Neil and her family."

Atherstone Town Councillor and Leader of North Warwickshire Borough Council Coun David Wright also paid tribute.

"Lorna will be sorely missed, particularly for her passion and work around prioritising and protecting the heritage of Atherstone.

"My thoughts are with Neil and her family at this time," he added.