THE former Westmorland Gazette correspondent for Burton-in-Kendal has died aged 77.

Joyce Bye moved to the area in 1986 and became a correspondent for the Gazette two years later.

Joyce was born in Kirkburton, West Yorkshire, in 1936 to parents Alice and Allan Scott, and as a child attended Highburton Church of England and Holme Valley Grammar Schools.

In sixth form she met her future husband Les Bye. After leaving school Les went to technical college and Joyce took a job at Huddersfield Library, working as assistant librarian from 1952-63.

They married in 1957 at All Hallows Church, Kirkburton, and Joyce eventually left work to take care of their children David (born 1963), Alison (1965) and Carolyn (1967).

Joyce also worked as a secretary and non-teaching assistant for a village school.

Throughout the 1970s and early 80s she was involved with both the Scouts and Brownies in Doncaster. When Les started work at Heysham power station, the family moved to Burton-in-Kendal.

Here, Joyce became heavily involved in the local community, joining Burton Fellwalking Society and the bridge and badminton clubs.

She was a correspondent for The Westmorland Gazette for 25 years, from 1988-2013. In 1991 Les retired and the couple bought a narrow-boat, and they spent 17 summers on the waterways.

Joyce is survived by her husband, children and grandchildren – Rebekah, 18, Emillie, 16 and Simon, seven Her funeral is on Tuesday (February 4), with a family burial followed by a thanksgiving service at St James’s Parish Church, Burton-in-Kendal.