One of Falmouth's most well-known faces in the pleasure boat industry for 40 years has died at the age of 71. 

The family of Sandra Pilson said she passed away unexpectedly and suddenly at home on Sunday, November 15.

She leaves her loving husband Ken, with whom she ran K&S Cruises from the Prince of Wales Pier, taking visitors and locals alike on trips across the Carrick Roads to St Mawes, and more latterly the Falmouth Park and Float service.

Under normal circumstances her funeral would be expected to be attended by a large number of people, but due to the ongoing Covid restrictions the service will be by invitation only.

However, people in Falmouth will have a chance to pay their respects and say goodbye at a funeral procession that will take Sandra on her final journey through the town.

This will head down past The Moor to go around past the Prince of Wales Pier, then back up The Moor to turn down past the Salvation Army and carry on up Berkeley Vale, to turn right up Trevethan Rise and onto Penrose Road.

From here it will head left to drive across The Beacon towards Penwerris Post Office, then turn right to pass The Boathouse, go down down Basset Street and turn left across Greenbank, finally stopping at Penwerris Church. The burial will be at Falmouth Cemetery.

The date and time of the funeral is yet to be confirmed, with details to be posted on social media, via a new Facebook being set up called Remember Sandra. 

Sandra and Ken met in 1978, when she joined Ken and his late father working as a deckhand onboard the family business boat. Later she went on to operate the ticket office after the death of Ken's father.

Ken and Sandra carried on running boat trips, calling the business K&S Cruises.

Sandra devoted her time and efforts into the couple's business, spending hours touting for passengers on the Prince of Wales Pier.

She regularly welcomed people into her domain, the yellow office on the pier, if not for a boat trip or a chat then to offer friendly advice to those she felt in need. Sandra would often help the homeless by buying them food.

She was also head of Falmouth Chamber of Commerce for a while, as well as being secretary of the Ponsharden Boat Association. Her role there included allocating berths and moorings to the public.

Sandra supported the Falmouth Marine Band for 25 years, taking them every year to St Mawes on the boat.

After leaving the pier some years ago, K&S Cruises took over the running of the Falmouth Park and Float, where both Sandra and Ken worked hard to ensure the smooth operating of their business, as they always have done together.

Up until three years ago, Sandra and Ken used to often holiday in Tenerife, where Sandra made a network of friends over the years.

Due to ill health not allowing Sandra to fly anymore, they bought a motorhome and had many happy holidays in the UK, mostly staying in Cornwall.

Ken and Sandra celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary with a cruise on the Mediterranean onboard the Ventura, with Ken's sister and brother-in-law.

Her family said: "Sandra loved the Prince of Wales Pier, where she thrived on talking to and entertaining locals and visitors alike for 40 years.

"She will be sadly missed and loved by her ever-loving husband Ken, and her family, Adie and Gary."

Flowers, cards and donations to the Salvation Army can be passed to W Angove and Sons Funeral Directors.