A social club for people with disabilities has dedicated its Christmas fun night to a former member who was always the life and soul of any party.

Elaine Wardle, 54, died in October from a respiratory illness just two weeks after dressing up as the King of Rock and Roll at an Elvis charity night raising funds for the Linkklub which meets in Shipley.

Miss Wardle, who lived in Shipley, was a Linkklub regular at meetings at Northcliffe Church Hall in the town.

Linkklub founder Jeanie Lambert, said: “Elaine was always the life and soul of the party, her energy and enthusiasm was amazing and she made friends wherever she went.”

Despite being ill in September she turned up at the Elvis night at The Tyke in Thornton Road, Bradford, and topped it by dressing up as Elvis.

Miss Wardle, who had lived in care since she was 14, had learning disabilities but had been physically able until suffering bouts of breathlessness just over a year ago.

“She had always been so full of life that we felt we had to do something to celebrate her life and it was suggested we should have an annual fancy dress competition in her memory – she would have loved that,” Miss Lambert said.

It was decided to include the fancy dress contest into this year’s Christmas party. Miss Wardle’s twin brother Robert Wardle was there to present this year’s trophy to Martin Jackson who, with the help of his carer, transformed his wheelchair into a sleigh and came as Santa.

Miss Wardle was a big fan of karaoke, went to another special needs club called BD7 and enjoyed meeting friends once a month at the Oddfellows pub.