Flags fly at half mast in Oakham to mark the passing of long serving Oakham Town Councillor and former Mayor.

Joyce Lucas BEM has passed away in hospital age 90.

Joyce was a founding member of Oakham in Bloom, donating 3,000 daffodil bulbs earlier in the year with the money raised from the annual jigsaw sale held by her and her husband Bob.

The bulbs are currently being planted in Oakham by Oakham in Bloom and will brighten the town's roundabouts every Spring for years to come.

She also played an important role in the recording of Songs of Praise at All Saints Church when Rutland was reinstated as a county in April 1997.

In a statement published by Oakham Town Council on social media, the authority said: 'It is with great sadness that today we lost one of the longest serving Oakham Town Councillors, Mrs Joyce Lucas BEM.

'Ex-Councillor, Mayor and Chairman, Founder of Oakham in Bloom and member of many other local charities.

'Our thoughts are with her husband Bob and her family who have always supported her in everything she did.'