A mother fatally struck by a car while on her morning run was 'generous of heart' and will be sorely missed, a councillor has said. 

Alex Weatherley, 41, from Woodford, was a keen athlete and karate club member with her husband Dominic and two sons.

She died on Sunday (May 31) after being struck by a car in Chigwell Rise, Chigwell, shortly after 8am.

The 18-year-old man driving the car was arrested in connection with the crash and bailed until September 5.

Waltham Abbey councillor Rod Butler, a fellow member of the Shotokan Karate Club, led tributes to Mrs Weatherley online.

He said: “Today, we lost one of our members in a tragic and fatal accident.

“Not just a club member but the wife of Dominic and the mother of two wonderful sons.

“She was also a tremendous and talented athlete who had the most wonderful sense of humour.

“Generous of heart and always giving to others, Alex Weatherley will be greatly missed by us all for her sense of fun and the laughter she so generously spread to all she knew… our heartfelt condolences are sent to Dominic and his family.”

According to Mr Butler, Mrs Weatherley was a keen member of the club with her family and helped organise children’s classes.

She recently took part in a karate “marathon” with the club in Harlow, helping to raise £22,000 in memory of another member who died from lung cancer.

As a runner, Mrs Weatherley also took part in events to raise money for charity.

Speaking to the Guardian, Mr Butler said she was a much-loved member of the community. 

“Wherever she went you knew she would be there because people would be laughing.

“If you speak to others, they will all say the same things as me.

“She was very good hearted and kind.”

Following the fatal crash on Sunday morning, people living nearby claimed that drivers often speed on the road, where a tribute to Mrs Weatherley has been set up.

Despite the fatal crash, a spokesman for Essex County Council said there are no plans for extra safety measures on the road.

Anyone with information or any witnesses to the crash should contact the police by phoning 101 or emailing collisionappeal@essex.pnn.police.uk.