Woman found dead in estuary 'joyful to be with'

Shona Campbell retired from her career as a personal assistant in 2014

A woman whose body was found in an estuary after she phoned to say she was stuck in the mud has been described as "joyful to be with".

Shona Campbell was staying at the Moss-Side caravan park in Cummertrees when she went for a walk on the Solway estuary but had not been seen since the alarm was raised on Monday.

Police Scotland confirmed the death of the 74-year-old on Wednesday.

Friend of 20 years Andrew Harris said the retired personal assistant had a "warm-heart" and would "help out where she could".

He said while she had a home on the Isle of Man, since her retirement she had chosen to spent much time in the United Kingdom travelling and spending time with family.

Mr Harris said Ms Campbell was a "fantastic person" who was "so friendly, lively and joyful to be with".

He said the last time he saw her in October, she had a "big smile on her face" and said she was "going to do a bit more adventuring in the car".

Friends said Shona Campbell was known for her love of dogs

Ms Campbell's former boss Peter Duke, whom she worked alongside at Duke Marketing for 17 years, said she was always the "first point of call if anybody had any problems".

"She was a very accomplished lady, a very popular member of staff, and we know she was enjoying her retirement," he said.

The team was "deeply saddened and shocked" to hear what had happened, he added.

Sarah Black said she first met Ms Campbell at a puppy obedience class 30 years ago and the pair had developed a "friendship which continued after the training had finished".

She said: "She was a lovely, friendly person who could talk to anyone, she enjoyed her holidays and it's just so sad that her life ended in such a tragic way.

"She was very well known on the island and will be missed by a lot of people."