TRIBUTES have been paid to an Aycliffe Angel who has died at the age of 82.

Bessie Liddle worked at the munitions factory at Newton Aycliffe during the war years but was better known for her role in the community of Sunniside, near Tow Law.

Mrs Liddle and husband Jimmy ran the off-licence and newsagents in the village for nearly 30 years before retiring in 1990. Born in Garden Terrace, Mrs Liddle lived with her parents Joe and Ada Marriott at The Sun Inn, now The Comedian.

She married Jimmy Liddle, a leading air mechanic in the Royal Navy, at St Thomas's Church, Stanley, in 1944. The couple started their business partnership in 1952, running the Sun Inn before taking over the off-licence.

Mr Liddle said: "She was very well known in the village. She has been a businesswoman for more than 50 years. Everybody has been very good. I cannot say anything wrong about her. She was beautiful.''

Mrs Liddle had been ill for sometime but died suddenly last Thursday at her home in Garden Terrace.

She leaves husband Jimmy, sons Malcolm and Kevin and their wives, Anne and Iris, along with three grandchildren - Craig, Nicola and Andrew. Her funeral took place on Tuesday.