Tributes have been paid to a "much-loved colleague" and 'caring' health care assistant who has died with coronavirus.

Linda Parkinson, who was working on the Larch C ward at the Cumberland Infirmary, passed away with Covid-19 last week.

A statement from North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust said: "It is with great sadness that we share the news that a much-loved colleague, Linda Parkinson passed away last week with Covid-19.

"Linda was a health care assistant on Larch C at the Cumberland Infirmary and has worked at the hospital for over 30 years.

"She was a dedicated and long-serving member of our organisation who was valued by her colleagues and the wider organisation, and her loss will be felt greatly by us all.

"Linda was dedicated to her family, she cared for her husband, was mum to three daughters and had three grandchildren. She was a devoted sister, aunty and became a proud great Nana last year.

"Her daughters describe her as a proud mum with a heart of gold who was passionate about her role at work.

"Her colleagues describe her as having a sense of loyalty and pride, always having an ear for others.

"She had high standards and expected the same from others. She loved bingo and baking and came to work for her patients and the companionship of colleagues who she saw as a her second family."

The family have asked that any donations are made through Jill Glencross Funeral Directors and will be split between Crohns & Colitis UK charity and Larch C.

"Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with her family, friends and colleagues at this difficult time," the statement added.