A FORMER Vale councillor who was one of the first women to play a leading role in Wales' trade union movement, has died.

Former Barry Dyfan ward member, Jennifer Cole represented the Banking and Finance Union at UK level and was also a leading member of the Wales Assembly of Women campaigning for women's rights locally, nationally and internationally and helping to influence policy development.

She also chaired the local authority's voluntary sector liaison committee.

Vale AM Jane Hutt said: "Jennifer Cole will be greatly missed by her friends and family for her warmth and wit as well as her loyalty and passion for human rights and social justice.

"I valued her wise advice in my role as Assembly Member for the Vale of Glamorgan and Equalities Minister in the Welsh Government."