TRIBUTES have started to flood in following the death of a Test Valley councillor who served since 2007.

Cllr Alison Finlay, who represented Chilworth, Nursling and Rownhams on Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC), passed away this week.

She became a borough councillor in May 2007, was the vice-chairman for TVBC's Southern Area Planning Committee and a member of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

Now, fellow councillors and an MP have paid tribute to the woman who "will be greatly missed by everyone who knew her".

Cllr Phil Bundy, who represents the same ward as Cllr Finlay, said: "It was a great shock for me to hear that Alison had passed away at home.

"Alison was a retired IT consultant, a member of the residents association and parish council in Chilworth, which she was the chairman of for many years.

"During all the years living in Chilworth, Alison was a staunch defender of the village and campaigned to retain its character, as well as representing its residents regarding many matters that were of great concern to them.

"She would fight to ensure the areas she represented received the best resources to enable residents to benefit from a very pleasant environment and community."

He added: "I knew Alison before she and I became borough councillors and realised she was someone who had very similar views [to myself].

"She would often say that, along with our late colleague Nigel Anderdon, we always worked well as a team and achieved a great deal for the residents we represented.

"I wish to send my condolences to her daughters. Alison will be greatly missed by myself and everyone who knew her."

Cllr Roy Perry, who represents Romsey Rural on Hampshire County Council, said he was "shocked and saddened" to learn of her "sudden death" after her husband passed away "only a few weeks ago".

He said: "She was such a formidable councillor who worked so hard for her home parish of Chilworth and for the Chilworth, Nursling and Rownhams ward on Test Valley Council.

"I have known Alison for many years from well before I was elected to Hampshire County Council in 2005. In all that time Alison was tireless in working for her parish and ward.

"It was only a few weeks ago that her husband died, so this is a very sad time for the family and I send my sincere condolences to her daughters."

He added: "Alison was a great environmental campaigner and I know her particular ambition was for cycle paths.

"She especially wanted a cycle path between North Baddesley and Chilworth and I hope one day we shall see that achieved; it would be a great memorial to Alison."

MP for Romsey and Southampton North, Caroline Nokes, said: "Alison was a dear and much-loved colleague who served residents so diligently. "She was such a hard-working and respected councillor for Chilworth, Nursling and Rownhams and will be greatly missed.

"Alison was a real driver of change and her green fair in Chilworth last year was a great success. She was always brimming with new initiatives and ideas and so committed to her home village of Chilworth."

She added: "Of course my sympathies go to her family at this very difficult time for them."