TRIBUTES are being paid to former St Helens Council chief executive Carole Hudson, who has died suddenly while on holiday in America.

Mrs Hudson, a mother-of-two, held the reins at the town hall between 1991 and 2015.

St Helens Council said that it "was with great sadness" that it could confirm Mrs Hudson had died in her sleep during a holiday in America over the weekend.

Mrs Hudson was awarded the CBE in recognition of her outstanding services to local government.

She was widely respected across local government and among politicians and MPs.

Her sudden death has been greeted with shock and sadness by former council employees and colleagues from other organisations.

Tributes have been flooding into the council over the weekend.

Leader of the council, Derek Long said: "We all feel Carole's loss deeply.

"She was a fine servant of the borough. She will be remembered, not only for making St Helens a better place, but also for her private acts of kindness to our staff and residents.

"We send our condolences to Geoff, Sarah, Michael and Carole's wider family, friends and colleagues. The council will mark her life and service at an appropriate time."

When appointed to the role in 1991, she was only the second female chief executive in the country.

She was also responsible for helping set up a number of key organisations and was also instrumental in her work with a number of other bodies, including the North West Regional Leaders Board and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.

Mrs Hudson's successor, Mike Palin said: “Carole was a true inspiration to many people not least because of her personable way of working that encouraged great loyalty and commitment from those who worked with her.

"She was an impossible act to follow.

"She was loved by many at the council and this is a particularly sad moment. Her family are in the thoughts of all who came across her at the council at this time.”

Paying tribute, former St Helens Council leader, Barrie Grunewald, said: “I am shocked and saddened by this grave news my thoughts and prayers go to her family.

“I was the last leader Carole worked with. I fondly recall her saying I always would be her last.

“She was a tremendous person professionally, helping the council get into good standing, winning numerous awards along the way.

“And an outstanding person whose wide circle of friends, beyond politics, will miss her counsel.”