FORMER colleagues have paid tribute to a leading figure in the Guide movement, who left a legacy to the charity in her £1 million will.

Bettina Dorothy Watson, of Acresdale, Lostock, died aged 85, last May. She became president of the Lancashire Border county of the Guide Association in 1983 and was responsible for the Bolton and south Bury area.

She had been divisional secretary and president for Bolton and later took became an honorary patron for the county.

Gina James, Lancashire Border county commissioner, said: "Mrs Watson had been a member for many years.

"As patron, she continued to support many events in Bolton.

"She was a wonderful lady and would have seen many guides grow up during her years with the organisation."

Mrs Watson made charitable donations through her will, including £1,000 each to the Guide Association, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and Bolton Lads and Girls Club.

Mother-of-four Mrs Watson, widow of William Muirhead Watson, who was former chairman of Lostock engineers Robert Watson and Co, left an estate valued at £1,135,971.

Probate was granted to Mark Richard Churchill Steen, of Carlyle House, Chorley New Road.

Mrs Watson also left £5,000 to the United Reformed Church of St Andrew and St George, St George's Road, Bolton.

Her friend Betty Higham said: "Mrs Watson supported everything the Guide Association did and was a kind and lovely lady.

"She attended many camps at Hulton Park in her role as president."