Councillors stood heads bowed for a minute's silence in memory of Bet Josling, twice mayoress of Thurrock, who has died aged 81.

The present mayor, Barrie Lawrence, paid tribute to Mrs Josling at a meeting of the full council before asking colleagues to show their respect.

Mrs Josling of Frederick Andrews Court was married to long-serving councillor Sid Josling who was mayor in 1984/85 and then again in 1996/97.

Mr Josling died two years ago.

She was originally from Bath, Avon, but became firmly committed to Thurrock after moving to the area.

Over the years she was deeply involved in the community in her own right as a school governor, a member of the community health council, volunteer with Thurrock Invalid Association and through her association with the British Legion, Essex Regiment and Burma Star Association.

During her term as deputy mayoress she met Princess Margaret but that wasn't her first encounter with royalty. As an army cook at Hatfield House she prepared a meal for King George V1 and the now Queen mother.

Her funeral at Corbets Tey Crematorium was attended by civic leaders including Thurrock MP Andrew Mackinlay the mayor and deputy mayor Gordon Barton.

The coffin was draped in a union flag and escorted by standard bears from the military associations to which she devoted so much time.