TIRELESS Blakeney community champion Rose Peaty BEM has died after losing her battle with cancer.

Mrs Peaty, 73, was awarded the British Empire Medal in the Queens New Year’s Honours List in January and was due to collect it later this month from the Lord Lieutenant of Gloucestershire.

But, because of her illness, the presentation was brought forward so that she could receive it in person.

She had been treated for cancer in Cheltenham and Gloucester hospitals but transferred to Lydney Hospital because she wanted to see out her days in her beloved Forest.

The BEM award was in recognition of her work with the Blakeney Community Green project.

Mrs Peaty helped secure funds and other support for the community, helping her to take forward a number of schemes in and around Blakeney.

These include the village hall renovation, the opening of the Otters Holt community café, creation of the woodland walk, new play equipment and the re-opening of the footpath between Blakeney and Soudley.

In 2009 she founded the Blakeney Community Green project with Ewart Woolley to develop a variety of projects.

Mr Woolley said: “Obviously Rose’s passing is very sad and she will be sorely missed. She worked hard for Blakeney and she was loved by the kids.

“She had been ill for some time but typically she refused to give in until the very end.”