An Ilkley care worker has died soon after arriving on holiday in Portugal.

Linda Hill, 50, of Kings Road, was taken ill during her holiday flight to Faro from Manchester Airport.

Despite the pilot's offer to turn the plane back, she continued on to her destination but died soon after arrival.

Her body is still in Portugal and her grief-stricken family are waiting to find out the cause of her death following a post-mortem this week.

Mrs Hill, who headed the Ilkley Home Care Team, had been suffering from severe headaches for the last few years.

Friend Christine Butler, from Ilkley, said: "Linda has had problems with her health recently but tests had shown nothing. I do know that for the last week she had a particularly terrible headache."

Mrs Butler said her friend had been excited about the holiday. "She was really ready for the week-long break, which she was taking with three female friends. She was looking forward to the chance to relax," she said.

"Linda was such a caring person and was kind to everyone she met. She cared for many people above and beyond the call of duty."

Mrs Hill moved to Ilkley in 1979 with husband Geoffrey and their children Gemma, 22, and 18-year-old Graeme.

A keen line dancer and football fan, she worked at the Rosegarth Nursing Home, in Clifton Road, before joining Bradford Council's social services department.

She helped older people and others in need in Ilkley to remain in their own homes.

Mr Hill, 52, a retired bank official, and son Graeme, who has just taken A-levels at Ilkley Grammar School, are now coming to terms with their loss while they wait for Gemma to return from Australia where she has been backpacking.

Gillian Cryer, social services home manager, said: "We are all very shocked to hear of Linda's death. She was very well known and well liked in Ilkley and our thoughts are with her family."

Details of a service to be held at All Saints Church will be announced shortly.