THE sudden death of one of Teignmouth's most well-known inhabitants has been greeted with sadness in the town.
Former chamber of trade president and charity worker Linda Keech has died aged 54.
The London-born former BBC dresser moved to Teignmouth to set up her own wool shop in 1988 after falling in love with the town while working on location.
She also had stints as a member of the town's Inner Wheel group and helping at the soup kitchen before starting work at Tom Clark funeral service.
Les Down, funeral director, paid tribute to Linda.
He said: 'She was a very caring, professional, very kind lady who was very sincere and hard working. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.'
Linda's mother, Kath, said she had been inundated with tributes from townsfolk too.
She said: 'I've had cards, letters and words from so many people in the town. She was well known and really was well liked and we shall miss her greatly.'
Kath added that Linda had travelled all over the world in her job as senior dresser for the BBC, based at the Ealing studios.
But it was while she was in South Devon working on the drama series The Onedin Line that she decided to move to Teignmouth.
Kath said: 'Linda fell in love with the place and decided to up sticks and open a wool shop in the town
'Her father and myself followed her down soon after and haven't looked back since.'
Linda is survived by two brothers and two sisters.
Her funeral will take place at 1.30pm tomorrow at Our lady and St Patrick's church, Teignmouth.