The funeral of a councillor and grandmother who died following a long illness takes place today.

Denise Wilde, 69, of Hemingfield Road, Wombwell, died at Valley Park care home on Friday after a battling with cancer.

Denise was elected a Labour councillor for Wombwell South in 2003 and retained her seat the following year when the two Wombwell wards were merged.

As a councillor, she became cabinet support member for social services and children's services and chairman of the planning board. She also served two terms on the board of Berneslai Homes.

A minute's silence was held at a full meeting of the council on Thursday and leader Sir Steve Houghton praised her hard work and decication.

Longstanding colleague and lifelong friend Coun Margaret Morgan said Denise would be missed by many, especially her grandchildren, to whom she was like 'a second mum'.

She said: "I've known Denise since I was four years old and it's a very sad affair. She was a wonderful grandmother to those boys and will leave a big hole not only within the council but within the community as well because everybody knew her. She had a very dry sense of humour and will be sadly missed."

Barnsley East MP Michael Dugher added: "Denise was a lovely woman. She was a real fighter for people in Wombwell and for Barnsley.

"She was also a marvellous Yorkshire woman who had real grit and determination – she never suffered fools – and she possessed a wonderful sense of humour."

The funeral will take place today on Monday at 3.30pm at Ardsley Crematorium. The service will be conducted by Neil Keer.