COLLEAGUES have paid tribute to a devoted Cumbrian vet who has sadly passed away.

Andrea Walker worked as a vet at Belle Vue Vets for 35 years and in her time has touched the hearts of everyone in the Wigton community and those in the surrounding areas.

A spokesperson from Belle Vue vets released a tribute for Andrea, who passed away aged 56 on Saturday, August 5, which read: “It is with great sadness that we are writing this post to inform you all that our beloved friend and colleague Andrea passed away at the weekend.

"Andrea has been part of the Belle Vue Vets family for 35 years and meant so much to us all here, and to the wider community.

“She was an amazing teacher and an empathetic, independent woman who underneath that larger-than-life character was a very kind and caring person.

“A legend, whose laugh was infectious to everyone she encountered.

“She will be greatly missed.”

Speaking further on her influence on those she interacted with, Richard Todd, who knew her for 35 years and who has worked with her for 23 of those years, said: “I’m from Wigton, from a farm, so Andrea would be initially one of the vets that came here before I qualified.

“When vets are studying, they have to do training at their local practice.

“I trained at Belle Vue and Andrea was my mentor during that time.

“She’s gone from being my mentor, to my work colleague, then my boss, and finally we were directors together.

“Most of all, she’s been my friend.”

Describing her, he said: “She was a character. Full of life, she was a massive personality.

“She was caring, incredibly knowledgeable, and one of the most intelligent people I’ve ever met.

“When she walked into a room she lit it up.”

Her intellect was not limited to animal medicine, as Richard said she was a pub quizzer frequently and was great at telling and remembering jokes.

“She was a keen skier, she loved her holidays, loved socialising, and she was always the life and soul of the party.

“Andrea was a legend, we’re all going to miss her,” he added.

Today, still, her impact can be felt, as Richard said fondly while speaking yesterday (August 8): “I went down into Wigton today and have to go back down there later; I can’t get anything done because people are always coming to me to say they’re so sorry to hear about her passing.

“Wigton’s one of those places where Andrea will be missed dearly. I know I won’t be able to get my shopping done because of that.”

Five years ago she overcame cancer, but sadly it returned over the last 12 months, Richard said.

“She was so strong right up until the end. She went into Eden Valley Hospice a week last Monday and passed away on Saturday morning peacefully.”

On lasting memories, Richard said: “I can just picture her smile, she had a massive smile which just lit up the room.”

Her funeral will take place at 11am on August 24 at Westward Saint Hildas Church.