Christine Dooley, Havering Council’s former assistant chief executive, has died after a battle with cancer.

Christine spent 28 years with the council, with the last nine in the assistant chief exec position.

Cheryl Coppell, the council’s chief executive, said: “Last year, Chris made the decision to retire to spend more time with her family and she took our thanks and good wishes with her.

“Chris was excellent at her job, as well as being warm, witty and fun to work with. She will be remembered very fondly at Havering for many years to come.”