A "truly lovely" former councillor who had a "kind heart" has died.

Jackie Connal, who represented the Holywell ward at Watford Borough Council for Labour, died at the weekend following an illness.

Watford Labour said it was "saddened" to learn of the passing of Cllr Connal, who served the area between 2010 and 2019.

Leader of the group Cllr Nigel Bell said: “Although I knew Jackie was very ill, I was devastated when I heard the news. Jackie was a truly lovely person, always with a happy and smiling personality every time we met.

"No matter how down one felt Jackie would come in the room with a mission to cheer everyone up and she made sure, no matter how she felt, she would leave everyone feeling more optimistic."

He added: "She was a positive campaigner who could disarm hostility on the doorstep with a smile. I know of so many residents in Holywell ward, who she represented for nine years from 2010 to 2019, as well as across Watford, who were helped by Jackie and who will be very sad to hear this news.

"It’s often said at these times, but Jackie really was ‘one in a million’ with a truly kind heart and compassionate not only towards her councillor colleagues but to all her many friends in and out of the party and at the Council Offices.”