A popular pub landlady who lived life to the full has died following a severe asthma attack.

Margaret Crawshaw, 44, was found slumped on a settee at The Spotted House pub, Keighley Road, Manningham, Bradford, where she had been the licensee for two years.

Maggie, as regulars knew her, was discovered by a neighbour who broke into the pub after noticing the curtains in the living quarters upstairs still drawn at midday.

Mrs Crawshaw was alone in the pub when she died last Thursday. She had suffered from asthma for several years.

Her only child, Michael Crawshaw, 24, of Thirteenth Avenue, Windy Bank estate, Hightown, Liversedge, said: "My mother always told people if her curtains were not open by dinner time there was something wrong.''

He said hundreds of mourners were expected at the funeral tomorrow at Huddersfield Crematorium.

Mrs Crawshaw was born in Golcar, Huddersfield, where her family live.

Friends have been asked by the family to send donations in lieu of flowers to the Huddersfield Asthma Group.

Mr Crawshaw, a forklift truck driver, said: "My mother had a cheerful personality and liked to live life to the full.

"She packed as much into her life as someone twice her age. She loved shopping and enjoyed smoking and a drink.

"She didn't talk about you behind your back - she would tell you what she thought of you to your face.

"She was a popular person and will be missed by a lot of people. When I have broken the news of my mother's death to friends I told them she wouldn't want them to start moping.

"She would want them to raise half a lager to the sky and say: 'Cheers Mags'."

Mrs Crawshaw had been in the pub trade for more than ten years, having been acting landlady in various pubs in Huddersfield.

"The job at The Spotted House was her first as a landlady but she planned to move on when the pub becomes a restaurant,'' said Mr Crawshaw.

Mourners will include Mrs Crawshaw's mother Sheila, brother David and sisters Janet Crawshaw and Gill Pogson.

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