A FORMER pub landlady who was one of the region's oldest residents has died at the age of 103.

Staff at Lothian House, in Spennymoor, County Durham, where Lizzie Hall spent her final years, have paid tribute to her love of life.

Mrs Hall was born in Seaton Burn, Northumberland, but grew up near Durham at Metal Bridge.

It was on a night out dancing with friends in Spennymoor that she met her first husband Matty Main.

She spent much of her working life behind the two bars she ran with Matty in the same town.

In 1943 the couple settled into the North Eastern pub, near Spennymoor town centre, and stayed for more than 17 years before moving to the Queen's Head, which has since been demolished.

They moved away to Blackpool in 1964, running a boarding house for ten years until they returned when Mr Main became ill. He later died from cancer.

There were three daughters Mary, Pat and Pam and a son, the late Fred. She married again to Ralph Hall when she was 75.

Lothian House manager Ann McKenzie said yesterday: "She was a lovely old lady who was always cheerful and smiling. She lived life to the full."

A funeral service is at Durham Crematorium today at 9.30am.