Tributes paid to Peterborough councillor who battled cancer and coronavirus

Louise Coles died earlier today (Wednesday) after a lengthy battle with illness.

Cllr Coles was a Conservative member for Fletton and Woodston on Peterborough City Council alongside her husband, Cllr Andy Coles, who tweeted this evening: "I am very sorry to have to report the death of my wife Louise this afternoon. She had been unwell for some time with cancer, but caught coronavirus even while shielding. Thankfully we had time to prepare, but this was too soon."

Louise had been elected onto the council last May.

Her brother-in-law Reverend Richard Coles, the broadcaster and former pop star, tweeted: "My lovely sister in law @lozaamandine died this afternoon with COVID19. She made lots of people very happy, not least @RevDavidColes, with whom she went on extravagant and unauthorised expeditions to her beloved North Africa. RIP, darling woman."

MP for Peterborough Paul Bristow tweeted: "I was devastated when I heard this. Louise Coles was kind, fascinating, and a hard working local councillor. She was also my friend. She made me #proudofpeterborough. Louise will be sorely missed.

Green Party city councillor Julie Howell said: "On behalf of everyone in Peterborough Green Party, Cllr Nicola Day and I would like to convey how very sad we are to hear this dreadful news.

"Louise was a lovely person and a much-loved ward councillor and her presence on the council and in her community will be missed greatly. Our thoughts and very best wishes are with her husband Andy, her daughter and their family at this awful time."