FRIENDS and family have paid tribute to a much-loved woman who died following a long battle with multiple sclerosis.

Anne Heward’s funeral was held at St Michael’s Church in Malton yesterday, followed by interment at Norton cemetery.

It had been Mrs Heward’s wish to have a horse-drawn hearse at her funeral as it was her love of working with horses that brought her to Norton.

Mrs Heward died on January 20, aged 55, having suffered from MS since her late teens. She was the wife of John and mother to Jonathan and Jo.

Seven years ago, Anne had asked Jo to take her to a clinic in Switzerland because she wanted help to end her life, but at the time her daughter had refused.

Jo, who cared for her mum until she moved into a care home, said she had not realised then how bad the condition and her suffering would get.

The collection at the funeral was held for the Ryedale branch of the MS Society and church funds.