Tributes paid to long-serving RSPCA volunteer

Margaret Murphy began volunteering at RSCPA Coventry and District as a dog walker in 1990

The RSPCA has paid tribute to its longest-serving volunteer in Coventry.

Margaret Murphy began dog walking for the RSPCA Coventry and District branch in 1990, later raising "huge amounts" of money for the centre over 35 years.

A post on the branch's Facebook page said: "Only last week she said that she will always be connected to us."

The animal rescue charity called Ms Murphy, who was in her late 80s, "such a character" and thanked her relatives for bringing her to visit staff one last time.

The tribute said: "We have had the very sad news that our longest serving volunteer Margaret Murphy has passed away.

"So many of you knew her as she was such a character. In 1990 she started dog walking for us and then as she got older she sold raffle tickets and counted money boxes.

"As many of you know, that got stopped by Margaret, it was hard to refuse her and she raised huge amounts of money for our centre.

"Only last week she said that she will always be connected to us.

"We are grateful to Theresa for bringing her up for what turned out to be her final visit. Our condolences go out to her family and friends."