TRIBUTES have been paid to one of the first women to be ordained as clergy in Durham Diocese.

The Reverend Beryl Davison of Lanchester, died in the University Hospital of North Durham at the weekend at the age of 67.

Canon Peter Waterhouse, parish priest for Lanchester, said: "She was a tremendous character and will be sadly missed by a large number of people.

"Rev Davison was always full of fun and immensely dedicated.

"She had a particular ministry to people who were ill. And she always had her dogs with her."

Ms Davison, who was from Shildon, became a parish worker in 1964, before women were ordained, at St Mary's in Norton.

In 1967 she moved to the Consett parish church, where she stayed as a parish worker, until she was ordained as a deacon in 1987 and became the deaconess in charge at St John's Church Holmside, Burnhope.

Mr Waterhouse said: "She was a very courageous woman and had a very serious illness during her time at Consett.

"She had to go through many painful years with her condition, which she fought and overcame."

While at Burnhope, she was among the first group of women to be ordained as priests by the Bishop of Durham.

She continued to serve in Burnhope until her retirement.

Ms Davison also served as a chaplain at Shotley Bridge Hospital.

She is survived by her sister Eileen and nephew, Donald.

Funeral arrangements have yet to be made.