LYME REGIS: Heartfelt tributes have been paid to a talented artist of the town and grandmother of singer songwriter Tom Odell.

Edna Dorrington, who celebrated her 80th birthday on Boxing Day, died during a Christmas visit to Australia to see her son Graham, his partner Flavia and grandchildren Corrado and Renzo.

Edna was a teacher, specialising in art in Hertfordshire before moving to Lyme Regis with husband Peter in retirement in 2002.

Sadly, Peter died just two years after moving to Lyme and Edna was soon involved with Artsfest, the town’s art festival. She once wrote: “Artsfest was fantastic for me. I met so many people and made friends with so many other artists.”

Edna had two children, Caroline and Graham, and four grandchildren. Caroline’s children are daughter Sam and singer songwriter, Tom Odell, 24.

Lyme Regis RNLI press officer, Richard Horobin, said: “Edna was quietly very proud of the achievements of her grandson Tom Odell. She went to some of his concerts and was certainly his number one fan.”

Edna has been described by her family as a ‘much-loved talented artist’ who brought an infectious enthusiasm to the hugely popular art scene in Lyme Regis. One of Edna’s closest friends and fellow artist, Angela Rushforth, added: “Edna will be sorely missed by so many.”

Edna’s artistic specialism was Monmouth Beach and she became known as the ‘pebble lady’ admitting she was somewhat obsessed with them.

Edna was also chair of the Lyme Regis Art Society, a member of the Town Mill Arts Guild and played an important part in the Artsfest.

She was also involved with the U3A, the Lyme Regis Society and Lyme’s two twinning associations, as well as a volunteer in the town’s museum shop. Her paintings hang in many homes in Lyme Regis, West Dorset and further afield.

Sheila Stratton, Lyme Regis Arts Society secretary, said: “Edna was an enormously talented artist.

“She touched us with her humility and inspired us with the attitude that if she could do it, so could you. There are many members who will always be grateful for her unconditional friendship, unerring loyalty and unquestioning support.”