Doreen Lofthouse, a pioneering businesswoman who grew Fisherman's Friend cough sweets from a small firm into a huge global brand has died aged 91.

The Lancashire philanthropist was awarded an OBE for her charity work. Over the past 30 years, Mrs Lofthouse and her family have given tens of millions of pounds to fund community projects in the town, including the recent restoration of The Mount.

Fisherman's Friend lozenges were originally developed by pharmacist James Lofthouse in 1865 to relieve various respiratory problems commonly suffered by fishermen. For the next 100 years, they were virtually unknown outside the fishing community. But thanks to the entrepreneurial skills of Mrs Lofthouse, who married James's grandson Tony, the cough sweet is now available in 120 countries, netting the company annual revenues of more than £55m.

The lozenge's shape was based on the design of the buttons on one of the dresses she used to wear to the office.

Lofthouse of Fleetwood said it was "a sad day for the entire Fisherman's Friend family" and "she was simply one of life's good people". The company said Mrs Loftwood had "tremendous focus and dedication" and "was a keen supporter of the local community and at the same time, devoted to her friends and family."

Dick Gillingham, a trustee of Fleetwood Museum, said she was a "wonderful woman... who will be remembered in Fleetwood for many, many years to come". He remembered her many contributions over the years, including helping to fund floodlights at the local football club, a lifeboat for the RNLI, as well as public artworks such as the "welcome home" statue for the families of fishermen.

The Lofthouse family also paid for the restoration of a replica of the London Eros statue and donated it to Fleetwood in 2006.

"She's taken the name of Fleetwood all over the world... and been probably our greatest advert," added Mr Gillingham.

Many a time I have resorted to a Fisherman's Friend on a cold Winter's day.

Mags, you’re private life is of no concern to us..

I like the anaseed flavour of ff, I’ll have to get some now

Mags, you’re private life is of no concern to us..

I like the anaseed flavour of ff, I’ll have to get some now

Flavours are for girls .....

Being a modern man, I like to explore my feminine side once in a while...