POPULAR former Bournemouth mayor Emily Morrell-Cross has died after a long illness at the age of 71.

Her husband Les said she passed away on Tuesday evening.

Emily Morrell-Cross was on Bournemouth Borough Council for 20 years, representing Moordown and then Winton East for the Liberal Democrats before losing her seat in 2007.

She served as mayor from 2004-05 and was tireless in raising money for charity.

Former Moordown councillor Jean Moore, who persuaded Mrs Morrell-Cross to stand for the council and served with her for 20 years, said: “She was my best friend.

“I persuaded her to stand with me because she was full of vitality. If there was a task ahead of her, she would do it. Nothing was too big for Emmy to have a go at.”

She recalled Mrs Morrell-Cross welcoming the Conservative Party conference to town. “There were comments from some Tories that they would have liked to have her on their side,” she said.

She recalled how every conversation with her friend would end with a joke.

Originally from Ashton in Lancashire, Mrs Morrell-Cross chaired Bournemouth’s housing committee. Away from the council, she ran a residential home for people with mental health problems.

Former council leader Douglas Eyre said: “If anybody came into this world and was born to make a difference, Emmy was one of those people.

“She was the ultimate can-do person.”

Last month, Mrs Morrell-Cross wrote to the Daily Echo to praise Royal Bournemouth Hospital for the treatment she had received there for emphysema.

“I must say that the staff on Ward 2 were truly excellent in every way. I have heard of people going an extra mile, but the staff there do a marathon to ensure that patients are cared for,” she said.

Current council leader Cllr John Beesley said of her death:“This is very sad news. Emily was a one off and a remarkable lady. I want to express my deepest sympathy and condolences to her family on their very sad loss. On behalf of all who served with her on Bournemouth Council I would like to pay tribute to the great work she did for the town during her 20 years of service as a councillor and later as an alderman.”

Conservative Cllr Bob Chapman, another former mayor, said: “She served a term as mayor and worked very hard for people in her ward.

“She was very well liked by all members of the council cross-party. It’s very sad to hear that she’s gone.”