A Conservative Party stalwart has died in hospital after a long illness.

Tributes to Mary North, from Addiscombe, have flooded in from politicians across the borough.

She died on Wednesday morning and had been in poor health for some time.

The 82-year-old former President of the Croydon Conservative Federation joined the party as a teenager in Dulwich.

She was a domestic science teacher before she became a schools inspector and her dedication was rewarded with an OBE in 1997 for her services to politics and education.

The 82-year-old was cared for by a close friend Shirley Trimmer who looked after her in the care home she moved to when her health failed.

Mrs Trimmer paid tribute to her dear friend who joined the Conservative Party when she was a teenager.

She said: "She joined much to her parent's annoyance as they did not think it was a fitting thing for a young lady to do.

"She was tremendously proud of her OBE. Mary was a strong personality and a fair minded person. She was an extremely good organiser."

Council leader Mike Fisher said: “I have known Mary for the past 25 years, she was a real force of nature. You could not say no to her, you always left a meeting with her agreeing with what she wanted to do.

“She was an enthusiastic and hard working member of the Conservative Party.

“She was a very kind hearted lady who wanted to help people and she was also extremely strong-willed. She knew what she wanted to achieve and did anything to get her way.”

Colleagues remember her as a great cook who often made delicious meals for friends and colleagues.

Former Croydon Central MP Andrew Pelling saw his friend the day before she died.

He said: “I am glad that I saw Mary in Mayday the day before she passed away.

“She was a liberal Conservative full of compassion and tolerance.

“Mary was very supportive of me during my political career both as a Conservative and as an Independent.

“She made a big input with her professional background into her governorship of Croydon High School.”

MP Gavin Barwell, for Central Croydon, said he remembered the party stalwart from when he first joined the party.

He said: "I remember her infectious sense of humour, she was a real party stalwart and had a reputation that went beyond Croydon.

"She will be sorely missed and fondly remembered by everyone who knew her."

Mary North's funeral will be held on May 5 at Croydon Crematorium. Anyone who wants to attend should contact Shirley Trimmer 0208 654 3615.