Colleagues of a mother-of-two who died after losing her battle against cancer are fulfilling her wish to help others.

Ann Beattie died last week at the age of 46. She was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 1997.

She worked for Bradford Council as the authority's emergency planning manager, and wanted to establish a fund to help staff there pay for 'fast track' cancer

diagnosis.

Ann's theory was that each of the Council's 20,000 employees could give £1 a month to a fund which could be used to pay for private diagnosis for ill workmates on cancer test waiting lists.

Now the Council's Ann Beattie Cancer Diagnostic Emergency Fund could be up and running by the end of the year.

Her friend and colleague Roz Hall said: "When she found that she had cancer, she said she wanted to do something that would benefit other people.

"She was immensely popular, lots of people liked her. She was very passionate about her job, Bradford, her family and her friends - she loved socialising and being with people.

"She was also very intelligent and was studying a Phd and was well known for her contribution to emergency planning across the district. After her work on the Keighley floods she was invited to go and meet the Queen, and she was very proud of that."

Bradford Council leader Margaret Eaton, who worked closely with Ann, praised her work, her attitude and her fighting spirit.

She said: "I have known Ann for many years and I find it hard to believe I won't see her friendly smiling face around any more. She was a very committed employee who gave her all to her tasks at the Council. She will be missed."

Philip Robinson, Bradford Council's interim chief executive, added: "We were deeply saddened to hear of Ann's death and our thoughts are with her family and friends at this difficult time.

"Ann was a highly regarded and dedicated officer in her role as emergency planning manager, which often meant dealing with crises and working unsociable hours. She will be greatly missed by her colleagues."

Ann, who lived in Shipley, leaves two sons, and her partner Trish. She also leaves her mum and dad, Joe and Tina Brinton, and her brother Tony.

Ann was originally from Haworth and went to Greenhead School in Keighley.

Her funeral was being held today at Nab Wood Crematorium.