TRIBUTES have been paid to a remarkable pensioner who gave up driving on her 100th birthday after 82 years on the road without a blemish on her record.

Until shortly before she died aged 102, Madeleine Thompson would often be seen walking around jauntily and telling jokes to her friends in Cotherstone, near Barnard Castle.

She was so well-liked that her funeral on Sunday, described as a celebration of her life, will be followed by a "joyful get-together" in Cotherstone village hall of the many people who admired her.

Mrs Thompson said on her 100th birthday that she stopped driving because of the high cost of insurance and road tax, rather than any feeling that she was losing her skill behind the wheel.

Her daughter, Jennifer Haire, said yesterday: "She kept her sense of humour right up to the end and loved telling jokes to everyone. But she disliked the modern version of church services, and insisted that the 1662 version be used at her funeral.

"She also asked for a joyful gathering to be held in the village hall afterwards, so that is what we will have. We will have nice refreshments and everyone will have a chance to share their happy memories of her, rather than being sad."

The service, in Romaldkirk Parish Church at 2pm, will be conducted by the Rector, the Reverend Peter Midwood, and an address will be given by the former Bishop of Durham, the Right Reverend David Jenkins, who lives locally.

Mrs Thompson was president of Cotherstone WI for many years, and was on the county executive well past the normal retiring age. She was in several village organisations and was always ready to roll up her sleeves and help.

Mrs Haire said: "Mum was a remarkable person, and we have been inundated by friends coming to pay tribute to her. She asked me to give thanks to people who helped her, and I have been busy doing that."

Mrs Thompson was taught to drive in an open-topped Talbot roadster in 1923, and never had to pass a test. Her husband, Kelvin, died some years ago. She leaves two sons, Michael and Jeremy, and their wives, Jenny and Lynne, as well as daughter Jennifer and her husband, Tony.

Donations in lieu of flowers at the funeral will be accepted for the Friends of Richardson Hospital, Macmillan Cancer Relief and the village hall kitchen fund.