A nursery is paying a special tribute to its popular former manager who died from cancer.

Staff and children at Keighley Community Nursery staged a fundraising day in memory of Julie White.

And a plaque will be displayed in a new reception area at the Braithwaite Grove site.

Mrs White died in February last year, eight months after being diagnosed with gall bladder cancer. The disease had spread to her liver.

The 49-year-old mother-of-three, who lived at Bracken Bank Walk in Keighley, had been manager of the nursery for ten years.

“At first, when she went into hospital, they thought she had gallstones, but it transpired it was cancer,” said daughter-in-law, Laura White, who works at the centre as a senior nursery nurse.

“She underwent chemotherapy and trialled a new drug at St James’ Hospital in Leeds, but the cancer was terminal.

“Julie was very popular with staff, parents and children, and we thought it would be nice to do something in her memory on the first anniversary of her death.”

The fundraising event, held with the neighbouring Rainbow Children’s Centre, was staged almost a year to the day since Mrs White’s death.

Youngsters and staff dressed in cancer-related colours of pink and blue, and there was a sale of cupcakes, buns, brownies and biscuits.

The event raised £131 for Manorlands, the Oxenhope Sue Ryder hospice.

“We’re hoping it may become an annual thing,” said Laura, 27, of Harewood Crescent, Keighley.

“Julie died at home and didn’t spend any time in Manorlands, but she did a lot for the hospice and supported its events. It’s such a good cause.”

Mrs White’s daughter, Vikki, works at the nursery.

She also left behind husband, Andy, and sons Liam, who is married to Laura, and Scott.