A WOMAN who died after falling 50 feet from a cliff while on a walking holiday last week has been described as someone who "had a happy outlook on life".

Maureen Absalom died last Tuesday, October 14, when she fell into the sea from the top of a cliff in Dorset.

The 68-year-old from Prestwood was with a group from the Amersham Ramblers Group on a walking holiday when the accident happened shortly after midday.

Mrs Absalom was airlifted to hospital in Dorchester but was later declared dead.

She was a member of the Weston Turville U3A, with friends from the group paying tribute to her in their newsletter this week.

The newsletter said: "Maureen Absalom was a very popular U3A member who had a happy outlook on life and was always willing to take on new challenges. Maureen was an active member of several groups including garden visits, walking and extreme visits.

"Maureen leaves a son and a daughter and we send our condolences to her family and to her close friends Lynda and Ian Mackay and Helen McCuskie."

The tragedy happened on a coastal path near the village of Worth Matravers on a guided walk being operated by the firm HF Holidays.

Jim Forward, chief executive of HF Holidays, said: "Everyone at HF Holidays is shocked and saddened by this accident and our thoughts are with her family and friends."

He added team members from the company are providing assistance to Mrs Absalom's family and to her fellow walkers.

Officers from Dorset Police have reported there are no suspicious circumstances into her death.