Tributes have been paid to a Barrhead community champion with “a heart of gold” after she died at the age of 81.

Agnes Law, known as Ag, was a founding member and co-ordinator of East Renfrewshire Foodbank, which has fed thousands of local people in need since it was launched in 2013.

The organisation’s vital work was very important to Ag, who also loved the fact so many local churches worked together to offer help.

She believed this joint effort was a real asset to Barrhead.

In her role as co-ordinator, she managed the team of volunteers and, as a former teacher, enjoyed visiting schools and nurseries to give presentations about its work.

Ken Trench, who is on the foodbank’s management board, described Ag as a “powerhouse of energy and encouragement” and said that, without her input, the organisation would not be the success it is today.

Stan Esson, the foodbank’s warehouse manager, who knew Ag and her late husband Jim for more than 40 years, said she was “a wonderful person” who will be sorely missed by many.

Ag and her twin sister Georgie were born on October 12, 1939, in Arthurlie Street, the youngest of five children to parents Jessie and Thomas MacKenzie, who later ran a grocer’s shop in Barrhead.

She met fellow sports enthusiast Jim when they played together at the old Arthurlie Tennis Club.

The couple had two children, Janie and Wendy, before Ag attended Jordanhill College to train as a teacher.

Following her graduation in 1968, she worked in Auchenback Primary before moving into pre-school education and taking on a role at the former Arthurlie Nursery School.

She spent the majority of her career, however, at Morton Nursery, in Linwood, where she was headteacher.

Janie told the Barrhead News: “She was passionate about pre-school education, which was aimed at four-year-olds at that time, and getting them ready for school.”

Ag retired from her role at Morton Nursery at the age of 60 but was later invited to become an inspector of nurseries in East Renfrewshire.

She also continued her passion for singing in choirs and her lifelong commitment to the church.

In 2018, Ag and Jim celebrated 60 years of marriage with a congratulatory card from Her Majesty The Queen.

Ag’s funeral was held on March 8 at St Andrew’s Church, with many turning out to pay their final respects as the cortege travelled through Barrhead.