‘You could not meet a nicer woman than Doreen’, a Neston Cricket Club representative has said of the grandmother tragically killed by a shark in waters off the Western Australia coast on Sunday (June 5).

Advanced open water diver Doreen Collyer, 60, had been diving with a friend when a great white shark, believed to be five metres, long attacked her.

The former University of Chester nursing lecturer and her husband David emigrated to Perth five years ago from Neston , where their family played an active role in community life.

The Collyers were a cricketing family, with Mr Collyer, their son Ben and daughter Sarah all keen players and former members of Neston Cricket Club.

'A lovely family'

Jim Marshall, a member of the club’s management committee, called the tragedy a ‘horrendous shock’.

He told The Chronicle: “They are just a lovely family, always very sociable and we were very upset to see them leave.

“You hear about these things happening on the other side of the world and never imagine it could happen to someone you know.

“You could not meet a nicer woman than Doreen. She was a lovely person to talk to and always ready to help.”

Mr Marshall explained that Mr and Mrs Collyer moved to Australia so they could see granddaughter Daisy grow up, as Ben emigrated there years ago, while Sarah trained as a physiotherapist following her career with the England Women’s Cricket Team and moved to New Zealand.

The couple had recently become Australian citizens.

Mr Collyer emailed Mr Marshall to break the news of his wife’s death.

“In his email to me he said he was in a daze and did not really know what to do,” Mr Marshall added.

“It is a terrible shock for the community.

“David and Doreen had left but they were much-loved by everyone here and we are all devastated and wish Dave was closer so we could support him.

“All the club members want to express their sympathies and condolences to the family.”

Authorities are still hunting for the shark, which has been deemed a serious threat to public safety.

Did you know Doreen Collyer? You can leave your tributes to her in the comments section below.