TRIBUTES have been paid to a 'happy-go-lucky' Dorset born-and-bred woman who died at age 52.

Mother of two and Grandmother Elizabeth Benham passed away on March 5 at Poole Hospital following a sudden heart attack.

Lizzy was born in the county and developed a love for the area, as well as leisure pursuits including bingo and the steam fair.

Thousands of mourners are expected to attend her funeral next month and members of the public are being invited to come and pay their respects.

Her son, Dean Benham, described her as someone who would never do wrong and would help anyone who needed help.

When asked about his mother, Dean said: "She was well respected in the traveller and non-traveller community.

"We have people coming from up and down the country to pay their respects to mum.

"She paid respect to everyone she met, so people are coming to do the same.

"She was the kind of person that would give someone her last fiver to anyone if they needed it- She'd help anybody."

Elizabeth - known to most as Lizzy - was born in Dorchester; she spent most of her life in the Poole area.

She had two children, Dean and Rebecca, and six grandchildren.

Dean said she loved travelling all around Dorset and enjoyed going to the steam fair.

He said: "She used to love playing bingo; her favourite thing was to have a cigarette and play the bingo every week."

Dean added: "Lizzy will be sadly missed by the travelling community as well as the non-travelling community friends and family; our hearts are broken.

"She was someone who truly loved all her kids, grandkids, husband and her sisters and brothers.

"We love you forever. God bless."

A memorial service is being held for Lizzy on April 8; a funeral procession is leaving from her home at Kimmeridge Avenue and heading to Blandford Forum Church at around 11pm.

Dean said that he expects over 3,000 people to come to the funeral and pay their respects to his mother.

He added: "Everyone is welcome to come to the funeral and bid their last farewell."