A "larger than life personality" whose efforts to preserve the history of Kinson have won praise from the community has passed away at the age of 74.

Hazel Thorby's Kinson School and Memories collection has a staggering array of 70,000 pictures and has been credited with reuniting generations of residents.

The collection emerged from humble beginnings in 2000 when Hazel sent a 1952 Kinson Primary School picture to the Daily Echo for publication in its Snapshots section.

Many people saw the picture and a decision was made to hold a reunion, which was attended by more than 80 people.

From then, Hazel started to collect old pictures of the school, Kinson village and local families and secured funding for display boards, a computer and running costs.

In the following years, thousands of people have viewed the collection at local history events and at Kinson Community Centre.

Hazel, who passed away on Sunday June 28, was the youngest of seven siblings, adored by all members of her family.

Friends have told how she described herself as "a real tomboy" and had a wonderful childhood in Kinson.

Hazel attended Kinson Village School and the new Oakmead Secondary School and took up her first job as a paper delivery girl, saving up to buy a bicycle so she could explore the area.

She worked most of her adult life in the motor trade and met her husband, Martin, through a shared interest in cars.

The couple took part in many events in their motor home as members of the Caravan Club and jointly formed the Kinson School and Village memories project.

A proud moment came for the couple when they met The Princess Royal, who took an interest in their exhibition when she officially opened an extension to Kinson Community Centre.

Martin died in 2008 after a short illness and Hazel continued to add to the collection and organise exhibitions.

In recent times Hazel was one of those helping to record the history of the East Howe United Reformed church and just last month she received a Volunteer of the Year award from the Mayor of Bournemouth.

A funeral service will be held at Bournemouth Crematorium on Wednesday July 15 at 11am, followed by a gathering at Kinson Community Centre.