The daughter of a "much-loved" former medical receptionist who died after being hit by a van in Bury has paid tribute to her.

Grandmother-of-three Irene Allen, aged 87, was struck by a Mercedes Sprinter van on Walmersley Road, close to the junction of Wolstenholme Avenue, at around 11.15am on Tuesday, December 6.

Irene was taken to hospital with serious injuries but died five days later on Sunday, December 11.

In a tribute, her daughter Melanie said her mum has complained to the council in the mid 1960s about a lack of safe crossings on Walmersley Road and "became the newsworthy first lollipop lady in Bury".

Melanie said: “Irene was a much-loved ex-medical receptionist at Ribblesdale House and AgeUK Jubilee Centre committee member.

“The police are continuing to investigate the circumstances but a post mortem concluded that she died of multiple injuries caused by the collision.

“Irene, a keen walker and Rawtenstall cricket fan, leaves behind a daughter and three grandchildren and a whole community who miss her sunny personality.

“Always putting others before herself, in the mid 1960s Irene complained to Bury Council about the lack of safe crossings for school children across the busy Walmersley Road, and became the newsworthy first lollipop lady in Bury.

“This tragic irony sits with us today.”

Following the incident, the driver of the van remained in the area to help police with enquiries.

A 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of causing serious injury by careless driving and was released under investigation.

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Police are keen to speak to anyone who may have footage, including dashcam, mobile phone or CCTV/doorbell footage from the area in the moments leading up to and before the collision took place.

Anyone with information should contact police on 0161 856 4741 quoting incident number 1,115 of December 6.

Alternatively, details can be passed via the LiveChat function at www.gmp.police.uk or anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.