TRIBUTES have been paid to the ex-landlady of a former Blackburn pub.

Joan Lee, aged 80, died surrounded by her family at Royal Preston Hospital on January 8.

She was well-known locally as the landlady of the Printers Arms in Accrington Road which she ran with her husband David for 15 years from 1988.

Her son Neil Anderson said: “They were only going to run the pub for four or five years but they enjoyed it so much and stayed on.

“She had a very good sense of humour and worked behind the bar and got involved in the darts and dominoes teams in the pub.

“They went into it as they were not doing much at the time and they both helped to build up the pub to being really popular.

“The pub was really popular and they had football teams using it.

“At the time, there were a few great pubs that were in the same area that people went to.

“They got on well with the people from the Duke of Edinburgh, the Wellington and Dot and Dave from the Toll Bar.

“It was a great time for them.

“She did a lot of fundraising too.”

“They left the pub around the time of the smoking ban and then moved over to live near Thornton Cleveleys and lived there since.”

Joan was born in Blackburn in 1939 and lived around the Queen’s Park area.

She also worked with Homehelp in Blackburn where she cared for people in the area and also worked as a cleaner.

Joan was the much-loved mum of Julie and Neil and a loving sister to Sheila and had six grandchildren.

Neil added: “We have had a few friends who have contacted me from the area to talk about the great times they had at the Printers Arms with my mum and dad.

“She had a real way with people and loved to make them laugh and also have a joke with them.

“She will be really sadly missed by all her family and friends.”

Joan’s funeral will take place Carleton Crematorium near Poulton on January 28 at 2.45pm.

All enquiries to J.T Byrne Funeral Directors, 1 Beach Road, West View, Fleetwood, telephone 01253 776281.