'DEVOTED', 'passionate' and 'a great ambassador' are just a few of the words used in tributes to councillor and former Mayor of Bicester Jolanta Lis, who passed away suddenly last week.

Flags have been flown at half mast for the serving Bicester town councillor and Cherwell district councillor after The North Oxfordshire Conservative group announced the death of their 'generous and warm-hearted colleague' who passed away on Friday.

Ms Lis was elected to Bicester Town Council in 2011, serving as Mayor in 2016/ 17.

Bicester Town Council leader Richard Mould said: "I will always remember Jolanta’s dedication to the council and her superb year as town mayor. She will be missed by all who knew her."

Ms Lis was elected to Cherwell District Council in 2016, having taken on the role of vice chairman in 2017/ 18.

Cherwell District Council chief executive Yvonne Rees said: "It is with great sadness we announce the passing of Jolanta Lis; a lady who was truly dedicated to the community in which she lived and passionate about the issues facing Bicester and Cherwell as a whole.

"Although she was only elected to the district council two years ago, she had already been bestowed the honour of our vice-chairman which is reflective of the respect she had gained amongst her peers for her devotion to the local area."

Banbury MP Victoria Prentis also paid her respects on Twitter, saying Ms Lis's passing 'will leave a huge gap in all of our lives'.

Lowered flags are being flown at half mast outside the Bicester Town Council offices at The Garth, and will remain that way until after the funeral.

Cherwell District Council is also paying its respects by flying its flags at half mast outside its offices in Bodicote House and a minute's silence in memory of Ms Lis will be held on May 15 at the council's annual meeting, and at the elections count on Friday, May 4, at Spiceball Leisure Centre in Banbury.

Cherwell District Council chairman Maurice Billington added: "Councillor Lis was one of the nicest people I had ever met and was highly thought of at the council and within the community.

"From a personal perspective, she was incredibly helpful and supportive in my role as chairman and I had been looking forward to passing the chains over to her.

"We had formed a close relationship over the years and I really will miss her terribly."

Actively involved in a number of local community organisations, Ms Lis was a Rotarian, an active member of St. Edburg's Church, a governor at Bardwell School and had been heavily involved in the Bicester Twinning Association.

Sallie Wright, co-chairwoman of Bicester Traffic Action Group, said: "We are shocked and saddened to hear of the passing of councillor Jolanta Lis.

"She was a very passionate member of Bicester Town Council and did her very best for various organisations in the town.

"She will be truly missed at the town council meetings as she always spoke up for what she believed was right. Our sincere condolences to Jolanta’s husband Lars and to the family."

Ms Lis was due to stand in the upcoming district council elections to defend her seat in the Bicester West ward.

However, following the news, the election for Bicester West ward on May 3 is now postponed until June 21.

A by-election for Ms Lis’ seat on Bicester Town Council will take place. There will be a Book of Condolence for the public to pay their respects at The Garth in Bicester.