A FORMER Labour Party worker and record-breaking cyclist has died at her home in Ripon, aged 64.

Holmfirth-born Mrs Vivienne Broadbent (née Boyes) was elected to Holme Valley Parish Council in June, 1979 - the same day as her brother, Roland, became a Member of the European Parliament for the Durham constituency.

She represented Wooldale on the parish council for five years.

Mrs Broadbent was also secretary of the Labour Party's New Mill and Wooldale branch and a member of the executive of the Colne Valley constituency party.

She was a governor of Holmfirth High and Scholes Junior schools.

Before her career in local politics Mrs Broadbent was a keen cyclist. In 1956, she was the first winner of the Women's Best All-Rounder trophy for the then newly-formed Huddersfield Star Wheelers. The award was for being fastest on 10, 15 and 25-mile time trials.

During that season she also set a women's record of 26min 10sec for a 10-mile course between Denby Dale and Scissett.

She was also one of the few women cyclists who beat Morley's Beryl Burton in a 25-mile time trial. This was before Mrs Burton became world champion.

Mrs Broadbent met husband Dennis through cycling. He was a founder member, secretary and president of the Star Wheelers. The couple had four children, Hazel, Ian, Lisa and Julie.

Mrs Broadbent worked in the laboratories at ICI in Leeds Road. They went to Ripon 15 years ago.

Mr Broadbent said his wife had been diagnosed with lung cancer three weeks ago and had died in her sleep at home on Sunday. Her funeral is at Harrogate Crematorium in Wetherby Road at 12.20pm on Thursday.