TRIBUTES have been paid to a Radcliffe mother-of-two who lost her battle with breast cancer.

Vivienne Coleman, of Clyde Street, died at the age of 53 at North Manchester General Hospital.

She was heavily involved with the charity Pathfinder Dogs, which trains guide dogs, and was the “driving force” behind last year’s Radcliffe Carnival.

Her daughter Zowie Lever, who lost her father to motor neurone disease in 2007, said: “She was a very strong person and she threw herself into everything that she did, especially after we lost our dad when it just helped keep her going.

“Family was her life and she always put everybody else before herself.

“She made a huge impression on Radcliffe – I think everyone here must have known my mum.

“She was only really involved in last year’s carnival but she made such a massive impact, and had done a lot of work in the run up to this year’s as well.

“I remember when I was little, the carnival was this huge event, and she saw it gradually decline over the years.

“It was getting smaller and smaller and she said ‘This just can’t happen, I’m going to do something about it.’”

Mrs Coleman, who was originally from Gateshead, moved to Radcliffe when she was seven years old and met her late husband at the age of 15.

A minute’s silence was held in her honour at last week’s meeting of the Radcliffe Carnival Committee, one of the many causes she gave her time to.

Andrew Clarkson, chairman of the Radcliffe Carnival Committee said: “We are all going to miss her happy outlook on life.

“She was always good for a smile and a chuckle, and she kept us all really positive through a few stressful times during last year’s carnival.

“Her contribution will be missed by the whole community because she has been involved in so many things across Radcliffe.

“She was always the first person to help out and throw herself into things.”