Tributes paid to former Hove Mayor Margaret Adams, who has died at 97

Margaret Adams was Mayor of Hove from 1989 to 1990 and had been a Conservative councillor for six years previously, when the area still had a borough council.

Her son Glyn Adams described her as "small but formidable, and always determined".

Glyn, who lives in Arundel, said: "If she wanted to get something done she got it done.

Margaret Adams

"She was greatly fond of Hove and wanted to do her best for the community. She was always involved in something.

"She sat on the planning committee at the council for years and enjoyed that side of it, as it was related to people's lives.

"She had a real sense of duty and giving something back to the town."

Born on November 19, 1923, Margaret was a member of the Girls Life Brigade in her teens and early 20s, and remained involved with the organisation throughout her life, helping to run sporting events.

She first worked as a secretary in Hove and later became a registrar of births, deaths and marriages in the area – a post she held for more than 20 years.

She married William Adams, known as Bill, who worked as a police officer in Brighton, Hove and Shoreham for 29 years and became her Mayor's Consort in 1989 - even accompanying her to Buckingham Palace to meet the Queen.

Fundraising was important to Margaret and Bill, and they were active supporters of the RNLI and the Poppy Appeal, with Bill "standing in the rain selling poppies" on many occasions.

Fundraising was important to Maragret

Margaret was also heavily involved in the twinning of Hove with Draveil in France, and was a great supporter of the Hove Museum.

Councillor Garry Peltzer Dunn, who represents Wish ward in Hove, worked with Margaret during her time as a councillor.

He said: "She was a dedicated councillor and a really good mayor.

"Margaret was conscientious and always putting herself out for other people.

"I knew her for many years from Hove Borough Council and I also played cricket with her son. As I said to him, she had a marvellous innings at 97."

Gary added that as a registrar, Margaret had an eye for detail and was extremely efficient.

He said: "Although she could be serious, she always had a glint in her eye and could see the humour in things.

"She put everything of herself into life and because of that she enriched the lives of many others."