TRIBUTES have been paid to a dedicated Middleton youth worker who died after being hit by a train.

Janet Cosh, 49, who worked in Middleton for almost two decades in a variety of roles for Rochdale Council, was killed earlier this month when she was hit by a Manchester Victoria-bound train in Todmorden.

Ms Cosh had worked as a youth worker on Langley. She later transferred to work as a regeneration officer for the council.

Colleagues have spoken fondly of Ms Cosh, who lived in the Todmorden area. Rochdale Council chief executive Roger Ellis said she would be sorely missed.

He said: "We were very sorry to learn of the untimely death of our friend and colleague, Jan Cosh, who was well known in the borough for her work in the youth, community and, more recently, community regeneration service. Jan will be sorely missed by us all, and we send our condolences to her family and friends."

Community volunteer Mal McCall, from the Demesne Community Centre on Langley, paid tribute the work Ms Cosh had done with the estate's youngsters.

She added: "The Demesne Community Centre would like to offer our condolences to friends and colleagues of Jan Cosh who worked on the estate for many years. She did a tremendous amount of work with the young people here, many of whom are grown up now, and who will remember Jan cycling round the estate on her bike, as healthy living and fitness were very important to her."

Ms Cosh was hit on 4 December at around 10.35am at the Drobroyd Crossing in Todmorden by the 09.37 Leeds to Manchester Victoria rail service.

A British Transport Police spokesperson confirmed the incident was not being treated as suspicious and an inquest was opened into her death on 8 December.

Her funeral took place last Friday (12 December) in the Huddersfield area, attended by councillors and representatives from Middleton.