A community stalwart who served as a magistrate for more than two decades has died.

Margaret Maw, 86, from West Kingdown, passed away at the The Withens Nursing Home, Southfleet, on Saturday, September 26, after previously falling at her home.

Mrs Maw was known as a village icon in West Kingsdown, said her son Paul.

She moved to the village in 1954 and spent the rest of her life living happily there.

For more than 66 years she was heavily involved in village life and helped administer village events as a Parish Council clerk.

She was married to the late Kenneth Maw, who was also Parish Council chairman for 27 years.

Their five sons attended the village primary school.

Mrs Maw's early life saw her lose her mother when she was just six years old.

She went to Bullers Wood School, Chislehurst, which – according to her son – she considered a great privilege.

Growing up in Bromley, her childhood home was opposite David Bowie’s parents’ house.

Paul said: "She remembered her stepmother exclaiming one day, 'that David has gone and dyed his hair purple'."

During the Second World War, Mrs Maw was evacuated to Devon, but before she was sent there, she told her family she could remember nights in air raid shelters, engines of doodlebug rocket bombs cutting out and falling to earth, an unsettled life, and after her return to Bromley, street parties in 1945 when the war was over.

'She was known as a remarkable and lovely person who succeeded at everything she attempted...'

From 1952 she worked as a shorthand typist at John Lewis then Marks & Spencer, even serving petrol for a while at the old petrol station opposite the Portobello Pub in West Kingsdown.

Mr Maw added: "She relished meeting village friends there."

She also worked for 20 years as an NHS medical secretary at Lewisham Hospital.

At the age of 45, she became a magistrate and sat at Dartford Magistrates' Court for 25 years, retiring at age 70 as a senior magistrate.

Mr Maw added: "Nothing fazed her.

"She was known as a remarkable and lovely person who succeeded at everything she attempted.

"She belonged to numerous village groups including KIARA and was recognised as an expert in cake-making, embroidery, and pottery.

"There are many village homes graced with her beautiful ornaments.

"Her life experiences made mum a natural life-mentor and she gave insightful guidance to her family and many friends."

R ead more: All the latest news from Sevenoaks

Read more: All the latest news from Dartford