A dedicated churchgoer and campaigner for the Trowbridge branch of Cancer Research for 50 years has died, aged 86.

Beryl Drake, of Palmer Road, Trowbridge, died at the Royal United Hospital in Bath from portal hypertension, a form of liver disease.

Her close friend Pam Hanny, 83, of Trowbridge, described Mrs Drake as a friendly woman who loved people.

She said: “She had a lot of friends. She always had people calling round for coffee.”

Mrs Drake was born and grew up in Exmouth before moving to Bath to work after the war.

It was there that she met her late husband Vernon. They returned to Exmouth to marry before moving to Bradford on Avon.

They moved to Bradley Road in Trowbridge about 50 years ago, which is where she met Mrs Hanny and her husband Graham, 83.

Mrs Drake moved to Palmer Road 20 years ago. She was a member of the United Church in Church Street and was actively involved in Busy Bees craft group based at the church.

She used to make patchwork quilts for youngsters in hospitals.

Last year Mrs Drake received a certificate for 50 years of service with the local Cancer Research branch for all her campaigning and fundraising.