Tributes have been paid to a local charity volunteer worker who died last week.

Josephine Butlin, aged 70, formerly of Saron, died on Wednesday evening, but is continuing to help causes close to her heart through her decision to sell off her belongings to three charities.

Mrs Butlin spent her last days at Blaendyffryn nursing home, and after moving out of her bungalow asked for the contents of her home to be sold with proceeds to be donated to the three charities she supported.

Her friends Barbara and Graham Elliott agreed to display and sell the items at The Old Smithy, Cenarth, and during four days a week since May, with the help of some of Mrs Butlin's friends have collected at least £1,000

for each of the charities.

Funds will be donated to The British Brain Tumour Society, to aid research into Mrs Butlin’s condition, The Salvation Army, which she was a member of, and Barnardo's, as she worked as a volunteer in their Carmarthen Store.

Graham Elliott said: “It’s quite poignant that she died just before the sale closed. She was well known in the area and was a very active charity worker.

“We are delighted that people have been so generous, and £3,000 has been raised by the sale so far.”

He added: “She always had a smile on her face and had a terrific soul and a wonderful mind. She put herself into the community wherever she went and had friends all over the world.”

The shop is open Thursdays to Sundays 10am to 5pm, the sale, which includes a large variety of interesting items, ends at the end of August with a target of £4,000.

Mrs Butlin’s funeral will be held on August 26 at Narberth.