Well-known local tour guide and founder of Romsey U3A (University of the Third Age) Margaret Barraclough, has died aged 87.

Mrs Barraclough was a member of local history group LTVAS and of the Romsey NADFAS (National Association of Decorative and Fine Arts Societies) group, where she helped to lead a group recording details of churches in the area.

A great supporter of the U3A movement, Margaret was a lifelong learning co-operative for older people, and on her arrival in her new home she helped found Romsey U3A, which now boasts around 500 members and is one of the largest in Hampshire.

Daughter Linda Connell said: “Margaret will be sadly missed by Romsey residents who will remember her enthusiasm for life-long education and her generous, encouraging teaching style.

“She was a very gregarious woman. “Every time she left the house she’d usually end up stopping for about 20 minutes to chat to people that she had met in the street.”

Mrs Baraclough, of Holbrook Place, was an art teacher by training, who worked in adult education and then branched out into art history and history in general.

She is survived by her two grown-up children, five grand children and three great grand-children.

Her funeral took place at Southampton Crematorium.