Tributes have been paid to a former Welwyn Hatfield councillor who passed away last month.

Siobhan Hill Elam died on April 29 following a battle with cancer.

She served as a Liberal Democrat councillor for Handside after retiring from her role as a sergeant for Herts police.

Malcolm Cowan, who was group leader during her time on the council, praised her "dedication" and said the community "will miss her enormously".

"Siobhan was utterly dedicated to serving the public, exactly how she had in her former career in the police," he said.

"She was enthusiastic and took up residents issues with vigour, not allowing fluffy or evasive responses from anyone to survive unquestioned.

"As a well-known Handside resident, it was no surprise she was first elected with a big majority, but within a year she had increased that as people saw how hard she worked.

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"She had a great sense of fun and was also the most punctual to meetings of all the councillors I knew.

"It was a big disappointment, and an even bigger loss to the community when she stepped down for personal reasons. We will miss her enormously."

Ms Hill Elam was also a key figure at Welwyn's Barn Theatre after joining in 1991.

She performed in a number of roles on stage, including the lead in The Odd Couple, directed Inherit the Wind and Kindertransport, before being elected as social director in 2002 and had not long been appointed as chair before her passing.

"Siobhan was lively, spirited, friendly and talented and had a wonderful smile," read a tribute from The Barn. 

"Happy to giggle at the appropriate moments, she nonetheless took her drama very seriously and took direction well.

"Always involved in the social scene she was great company.

"Having lost her so soon after she was appointed to the chair, we can only guess what she would have achieved.

"We offer our sincere condolences to her son Aiden and her family and many friends."

Her family also paid tribute, saying: "She was a much loved granny to her two grandsons, as well as a wonderful mother, mum-in-law and sister to her two brothers.

"She was incredibly intelligent with a huge interest in history, literature, genealogy and theatre which enriched her life to the very end.

"She was taken from us too soon and will be hugely missed."