People from Brierley Hill, Brockmoor and across Dudley gathered to pay their respects to Margaret Arnold, chair of Brockmoor Community Centre who passed away two weeks ago.

Mrs Arnold who was 74 and who, with husband Ken and other locals, ran the Centre on Pensnett Road, died after a difficult period of serious illness.

She was described as the ‘heart and soul of the community’ and a ‘very special lady.’

Her many friends, including dozens who attended the regular Friday night bingo sessions she and Ken ran, assembled the centre to view the funeral cortège as it visited on route from Margaret's home in Limes Avenue to Gornal Crematorium.

Councillor John Martin, who had liaised with the family to organise the tribute, said 'Margaret’s many friends are bereft at her passing but due to Covid restrictions it was not possible for all to attend her funeral.

“However they still wanted to say farewell and thank you to this very special lady as well as to show support to her family. Margaret helped so many people and will be remembered with great fondness’.