BOLTON’S first female council leader died on Sunday aged 75.

Barbara Ronson made Bolton Council history on a number of occasions, not only the first female leader, but the first Liberal Democrat mayor in 2007.

Mrs Ronson became leader in 2004, aged 61, having worked her way up the ranks through Horwich Town Council until her party successfully displaced Labour on Bolton Council.

Parallels were drawn between her and former Conservative Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher when she became leader.

The Bolton Evening News at the time said: “She is the shopkeeper’s daughter who blew away an ailing Labour administration to become the first female leader of an historic power-wielding chamber.

“But there most similarities between Margaret Thatcher and Bolton’s new council leader, Cllr Barbara Ronson, come to an end.”

Mrs Ronson was council leader from 2004 to 2006 but her political journey began on Horwich Town Council and she joined Bolton Council in 1986 as the sole Social Democratic Party councillor. At the time there was only one other SDP councillor in the whole of Greater Manchester.

As a Liberal Democrat she was still part of the smallest faction on the council until June 10, 2004 when overnight the Lib Dems became the largest party.

She and her husband both stood down as councillors in 2011. In 2013 she was made an honourary freeman of the town.

Mrs Ronson was not all politics though, she was a keen community member and had a love of music.

Her 2004 interview revealed the wilder side of her life, more Iron Maiden than Iron Lady. She revealed she enjoyed rocking out to Led Zeppelin.

She and husband Bob, also a councillor for Horwich, were regular visitors to the area’s folk festivals and also enjoyed the operas of Verdi and Wagner.

In 1996 she revealed her stress-busting method ­— creating tiny items for dolls houses made from clay. She told BEN reporter Angela Kelly it was a “way of unwinding”. Cllr Ronson would sell the tiny black puddings, bouquets and roast dinners for about 50p to children at local craft fairs.

Following the news of her death politicians in the area paid tribute to Mrs Ronson.

A spokesman for Bolton Council said: “We are saddened to hear of the passing of former mayor and the first female leader of Bolton Council, Barbara Ronson.

“She was a dedicated public servant and proudly served her community as a councillor for many years. She will be greatly missed.

“Our thoughts are with her family and friends.”

UKIP group leader Cllr Sean Hornby said: “I am very very saddened to receive this news from the town hall this morning. A dedicated councillor and servant to the town. A great ambassador for the people of Bolton.

“My thoughts and prayers go out to all the family.”

Chorley councillor Mark Perks was “shocked and saddened” by Mrs Ronson’s death who introduced him to politics. He said: “She was a kind well thought of person who put Horwich first and did so much for the town & individuals. Thoughts to Bob who isn’t well these days and her family. She will be missed and I am truly sorry to hear this news.”

When she became leader Mrs Ronson said: “I am delighted to be the first female leader but I just hope I am not the last.

“The door is open for others to follow, I hope.

“I would like for people to remember me as someone who kept a sense of fun and didn’t take themselves too seriously ­— and that I had a wonderful family life outside of politics.”

She is survived by her son and her husband.