A WOMAN who dedicated the last years of her life to saving Colne's historic Hartley Hospital from demolition has died at the age of 82.

Ruth Starkie, of Wilmore Close, Colne, kept in regular contact with Nick Hartley, the grandson of Sir William Hartley, and firmly believed that because the hospital was a gift to the people of Colne it should not be touched without their permission.

She continued to protest over the future of the hospital, even when work began to convert the building into flats and homes.

Mrs Starkie died suddenly on Wednesday, August 9, in Burnley General Hospital. Her funeral was held on Tuesday, this week.

She leaves behind three sons, Kenneth, Norman and Graham, and five grandchildren, Debbie, Warren, Jason, Kris and Clive.