Crowd gathers to farewell Frana Cardno

Up to 1000 mourners have gathered for the funeral of former Southland mayor Frana Cardno in Te Anau today.

The coffin arrived about 1pm for the ceremony held at Ivon Wilson Park, on a beautiful autumn day.

Mrs Cardno died on April 23, surrounded by family and friends, at her Te Anau home.

She had been diagnosed with bile duct cancer in June last year.

Mrs Cardno was the Southland District mayor from 1992 until her retirement in October 2013.

- Allison Beckham