FARMER'S wife Maureen Mace boasts that her fridge is part of the family - which is not surprising as it is still going strong 69 years after it rolled off the production line.

Maureen, who lives near the County Durham village of Esh, paid £7 for the mechanical marvel when she bought it 31 years ago from a second-hand shop.

She is amazed that the 1931 Electrolux model still has the original light bulb and shows no sign of packing up.

But she can't claim that it is the oldest in Britain. The Swedish manufacturers, which launched its first refrigerator in 1925, heard last week from a delighted owner in Anglesey, North Wales, who claimed to have a 1929 model which was still working.

Maureen, 52, and her 54-year-old husband Alan bought their 4ft high cream-coloured fridge from Fowlers Sale Rooms in Durham City as a gift for their parents who ran the family dairy farm.

They inherited it in 1981 when they took over the running of the farm and moved into the farmhouse.

Maureen said: "They certainly don't make them like they used to. It's the best £7 I've ever spent. It just keeps going.

"It's got some stories to tell. We've talked about getting a new one, but I couldn't part with this one now. It's part of the family. Even my cats sleep next to it."

An Electrolux spokeswoman said the Maces' fridge could not have been made in the North-East because production did not start at the company's Spennymoor plant until 1960. Fridge and freezer manufacturing shut down in County Durham in April 1999.

The company spokeswoman added: "We are always delighted to hear of the long service given by an Electrolux refrigerator. Electrolux has been making quality products for over 80 years. Mrs Mace's fridge serves to illustrate this perfectly."

Have you got an ancient electrical appliance? If so, contact The Northern Echo newsdesk on (01325) 505065 or send an e-mail.