The boss of a Black Country firm yesterday paid a glowing tribute to his "remarkable" sales manager who died in the Bahrain boat tragedy just hours after meeting up with her daughter.

Grandmother Patricia Doyle, aged 64, from Hagley, Worcestershire, and her daughter Roslyn, aged 35, were among 58 people who perished in the tragedy last Thursday.

Roslyn was working in the Gulf state as an English language teacher with the British Council.

Rod Corbett, managing director of James Walker R otabolt, based on the Peartree Industrial Park at Netherton, Dudley, said everyone at the firm had been devastated to hear of the death of Mrs Doyle, who was widowed five years ago.

In a joint statement, Mr Corbett and Peter Needham, chairman and chief executive of the James Walker Group, said Mrs Doyle often met customers and suppliers and worked on exhibition stands.

He said: "Everyone who met her was struck by her warmth and immense presence.

"She found it easy to build relationships and her sense of humour helped to make people feel at ease. She was born on St Patrick's Day and her Irish lust for life was one of her qualities.

"Pat joined James Walker Rotabolt 12 years ago and worked as our sales manager.

"She had great presence and a wonderful sense of welcoming and warmth, and showed great dedication to her work.

"The recent growth in the business is testament to the way Pat worked as part of the team and the key role she played in co-ordinating our internal sales.

"Our sense of loss is heightened by these remarkable qualities that she had." ..SUPL: