A leading businesswoman has died after a two-year battle with cancer.

Business leaders today paid tribute to Georgina James, 48, the president of the Essex Chamber of Commerce.

Miss James, who died on Friday after she finally lost her struggle against the disease, was highly respected in the Essex business community.

As well as successfully running her own women's clothing boutiques Georgina de Ritter, she was a board member for the Essex Training and Enterprise Council and Essex Business Link.

She was also a non-executive director of Essex and Suffolk Water and a governor of Anglia Polytechnic University.

David Crozier, chief executive of the Essex Chamber of Commerce, said: "It is almost a fact she had a personal attribute in her business dealings. She was very warm and understanding.

"One of her greatest attributes was being able to create order wherever there was chaos."

He added: "Georgina was a very important part of the chamber of commerce not only nationally but in Essex. She was highly respected by all."

Her colleague Michael Clegg, managing director of Essex TEC, also praised her calming influence.

Miss James, who married her long term partner David Burgess six months ago, died at her home in Felsted, near Braintree.

Her public appointments included being deputy chairman of the Equal Opportunities Commission and the United Kingdom representative on the European Union Commerce Committee.

Highly respected - Georgina James who died at home following a two-year fight against cancer.

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