TRIBUTES have been paid to a women’s champion and animal welfare campaigner who has died at the age of 82.

British author Audrey Eyton, who was born in Blackburn, created the F-plan diet and worked in animal welfare.

While she also worked as a reporter on the Accrington Observer after leaving school at 16.

She was found dead at her home in Canterbury on Monday.

Born Audrey Gray in 1936, she was brought up in a pebble-dashed home and had a love with horses from a young age.

Her role at the Accrington Observer involved her working evenings and weekends - and her journalist’s beat saw her write obituaries, which included visiting local undertakers and the families of the bereaved, who often invited her in to view the deceased.

The news was confirmed by a trustee at the Matthew Eyton Animal Welfare Trust, which was set up for Ms Eyton’s son.

The trustee said Ms Eyton was “razor sharp, extremely funny, and utterly unique”.

“She will be missed by all of us who knew her,” she said.

Ms Eyton was the founder of Slimming magazine and in the 80s invented the F-Plan, a high fibre diet.

The book about the eating plan went on to become a bestseller.

In later years, Eyton worked in animal welfare.

The trustee said: “Audrey was a committed champion for farmed animals.

“She instinctively spotted a great campaign or great idea, and would work tirelessly on it until it succeeded.

“She was also a champion of women, and sought out female pro-animal campaigners to mentor and support.

“Audrey was a woman ahead of her time.

“She backed veganism and vegan organisations long before the movement became mainstream, and had faith that groups like Veganuary would drive the changes that protect animals and slow down climate change,” added the trustee.

Joyce D’Silva, ambassador emeritus for Compassion in World Farming, who Ms Eyton was a former trustee, of, said: “Audrey was a wonderful supporter of Compassion in World Farming and a devoted campaigner, always seeking new opportunities to educate and publicise the lives of farm animals.

“She will be greatly missed.”