ONE of Ferryhill's oldest residents has died just short of her 101st birthday.

Margaret Bowtell lived in her home in Barrington Terrace for more than 65 years, until her death on Friday.

Born in Tudhoe, Spennymoor, in 1902, Mrs Bowtell moved to Ferryhill with her husband, Robert, in the 1930s.

They took over the house from Mr Bowtell's father, who had lived there since it was built. The family tradition will be continued by the couple's daughter, Kath, who will continue to live there.

Mr Bowtell worked at Mainsforth Colliery for many years until his retirement at the end of the 1950s. He died in 1969.

Mrs Bowtell was a well-known and popular figure in the town, who celebrated her 100th birthday in style with a gathering of her extended family at a party in All Saints Church last year.

Daughter Kath said: "Her mind was razor sharp to the end and it used to annoy her that her body wouldn't go at the same rate as her mind."

Mrs Bowtell had four children, ten grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

Most of them will be attending a Requiem Mass at All Saints Church today at 10am.

It will be followed by interment at Chilton Cemetery.