A CYCLIST who competed in the Paralympics and won multiple national titles has died aged 79.

Margaret Allen, from Shafton, was part of the Great Britain team at the Paralympics in Atlanta, USA, in 1996, where she was a pilot tandem rider for Elspeth Brown on the track and the road.

As a duo they had previously won medals in Switzerland, France and Germany and worked together for six years.

Margaret had been competing solo since the 1960s and won many national titles, including the prestigious race over 50 miles and was three times in a row the best all-rounder and a formidable time trialist.

She was also a contemporary of the legendary Beryl Burton.

Outside of sport she would have been familiar to many people as a hairdresser and for her work in the Shafton community.

Daughter Joy Haworth said: “We come from a big cycling family and she rode with her sisters and her daughter Katie.

“In the 1970s she was involved in a lot of fundraising for the community centre in Shafton.

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“There were a lot of amateur dramatic performances arranged which people will remember.”

Margaret was widowed in 1992 but was a long-term partner of Graham.

She had four children, three grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Her funeral will be held on July 16 at St John’s Church, Cudworth from midday.

People are encouraged to wear whatever they feel comfortable in with a splash of colour.

Donations will be to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance and people are invited to Shafton WMC afterwards.

The family would love to receive more pictures of their mum competing.

If you have any, email: joymajenta-doncaster@hotmail.co.uk