The brother of Algarve tragedy victim Jean Dinsmore has paid tribute to her.

Mrs Dinsmore, who was christened Barbara but was known as Jean, died along with her friends Bob and Debbie Fry in Portugal on Monday.

Mrs Dinsmore, 43, of Coxstalls, Wootton Bassett, who was raised near Eardisley, in Herefordshire, was described as a "bubbly, lovely person".

Her brother Johnny Morris, who farms in Willersley, Herefordshire, said he was absolutely distraught to hear the news. "We are all just devastated,'' he said.

They went on what should have been a happy, family holiday with friends and now she is not coming back,'' he said.

Mr Morris said: She was a very strong swimmer and she saw the children in trouble, so she just did the natural thing and went in to help them.

What's happened is a massive tragedy to us all.'' He said that Mrs Dinsmore had been a keen traveller and put her energy into everything she did''.

Her freids said her incredible work for Wootton Bassett has left a legacy that will last for many years in the town.

Mrs Dinsmore, 43, of Coxstalls, died on Monday, when she helped rescue her children, Lydia, 11, and Alex, nine, from swirling waters off the Algarve.

Her husband Roy, who works at npower in Swindon, survived the rescue mission.

Close friend Sally Westwood said: "I'm struggling to believe this, because Jean was a fantastic person, full of energy and fun and a passion for life.

"My heart goes out to her family. Life will be less colourful without her."

Mrs Dinsmore, who worked as an accountant, was involved with the PTA of St Bartholomew's Primary School.

However, friends said it was her instrumental work in securing the future of the Lime Kiln Leisure Centre, which was threatened with closure, that will be remembered most.

She produced a letter template for people to send to North Wiltshire District Council.

Thousands printed it off and signed it, leaving the council flooded with objections to the possible closure.

She also helped organise a demonstration at the centre last Christmas, where protesters linked hands around the building in a show of support.

Friend Mike Brewser said: "I have no doubt in my mind that one of the reasons we have leisure facilities in our area is in no small part because of Jean - a legacy of hers to us.

"She was always larger than life and totally focused on her family. I feel it has been an honour and privilege to have known her."

Sue Hughes, secretary of the Save Our Sports campaign, which fought for the centre, said: "Every time I was organising something to do with the centre, or anything else, everyone would say the person I needed was Jean. She was one of those people that had such a great community spirit and there just aren't enough like her."

Mrs Dinsmore was a member of the Whitehorse Badminton Club and was also its treasurer.

Both she and her husband were involved in coaching the junior badminton club.