Tributes have been pouring in following the death of the first lady of Sussex industry, Nora Potter.

The legendary Mrs Potter was the driving force behind the local business scene for almost 40 years.

She helped launch the Federation of Sussex Industry (FSI) - the forerunner of Sussex Enterprise - just after the Second World War.

Her dynamism and business acumen were credited with creating hundreds of jobs and keeping the orders flooding in from home and abroad.

Mrs Potter passed away peacefully at her home in Brighton on Thursday just months after celebrating her 90th birthday after a 20-year battle against cancer.

Only 5ft 2in tall and with boundless energy, Mrs Potter was known as the pint-sized dynamo and for years she flew the flag for Sussex industry in every corner of the world.

She once returned from Australia with £12 million worth of business.

She was made an MBE in 1959, named Export Personality of the Year in 1970 and appointed to the main council of the CBI in 1979.

Her reputation spread abroad and she was honoured by the French government, becoming one of the few people outside France to be appointed Chevalier of the National Order of Merit for her contribution to Anglo-French relations.

Mrs Potter, who married Leonard in 1938, never had children. She retired from her position as director general of the FSI in 1981.

She fulfilled her final wish, which was to die at home surrounded by her nieces and nephews.

Niece Avril Black said: "She was in an awful lot of pain but when she knew her family was coming to see her she rose to the occasion, as she always did.

"She was a gallant and courageous woman - you couldn't help but admire her.

"We will all miss her because she was unique. She had such a very interesting life. I asked her which part she had enjoyed the most and she just said, 'All of it'."

In October, Mrs Potter spoke to The Argus about her life and the state of Sussex industry.

She was looking forward to her birthday celebration at the Royal Pavilion but already knew she was facing the prospect of major surgery.

But, with her usual fighting spirit, she told The Argus: "I've had a lovely life and it's not over yet. Not by a long chalk."

Her funeral will be held at Downs Crematorium on Thursday at 12.45pm. All are welcome.

Businessman and colleague Bill Hollis said: "She was loved by many people and she did a lot of good.

"She had a great sense of humour and she knew how to deal with difficult or pompous men."

Ken Caldwell, chief executive of Sussex Enterprise said: "Nora Potter was a driving force in the development of the Chamber movement in Sussex, helping to develop the Federation of Sussex Industries into the strong organisation it is today, Sussex Enterprise.

"We are all sad at her passing and draw inspiration from her vision for the future. We hope we can live up to the high standards she set."