A BOURNEMOUTH woman who worked "relentlessly" to help and rescue local pets has died aged 51.

Tributes have flooded in for animal champion Michelle Sheriff who sadly passed away on Tuesday, January 12 2021, leaving behind her beloved husband Mick, two sons, three granddaughters and three grandsons.

Michelle dedicated part of her life to helping the lives of a variety of animals in Dorset, whether they need medical help or rescuing.

She managed this, along with the help from willing volunteers and friends, by setting up the Animals Lost Found and Needing Help Dorset Facebook group, which continues to be used.

Michelle was born in Northolt, West London in 1969.

Prior to moving to Bournemouth with her husband Mick (who she met in 1988 and married in 1998) in 2010, Michelle enjoyed working as a waitress in cafes where she constantly met new people.

She was also a jailer at Heathrow Police station for a very short time, and was an assistant on disabled school transport.

According to her husband Mick, Michelle loved the latter job.

She was medically retired six years ago after she battled through three different lung cancers, one after the other.

Michelle put up a fight and the cancer did not return.

Her battle with cancer did not prevent her from continuing her vital work for animals across the county.

Mick said: "Apart from her children, her biggest love was the voluntary work she relentlessly performed for animals in the area.

"Although she did this for a long time prior to being made medically retired, Michelle stepped up the time she spent doing this work once she was retired. Every dinner time she would have a fork in one hand and the phone in the other, sorting out an animal problem somewhere or for someone. We couldn't stop her and wouldn't dare to.

"During this time, she met a large number of people of who she thought so much of. They all had the same mind frame of saving animals. Michelle made some lifetime friends."