ONE of south Durham's oldest residents died at the weekend at the age of 102.

Alberta Jackson was described as a "remarkable lady" by her nephew David Vollans, who regarded her as his mother.

She was popular with friends and staff in South Church Nursing Home, near Bishop Auckland, where she spent the last few years of her life.

The eldest of six girls from St Helen Auckland, she was married to Willie, who managed the Co-op stores in Shildon, Evenwood, Cockfield and Bishop Auckland.

Mrs Jackson also worked for the Co-op until she gave up her job in the 1950s to move to Cockfield to bring up Mr Vollans because his mother, her younger sister Marion, had polio.

She was an active member of Woodhouse Close and West Auckland Women's Institutes and exhibited embroidery at WI events and Bowes Museum.

Mr Vollans, from Shildon, said: "She was my auntie, but she was also the best mother that anybody could have wished for.

"She was a wonderful, absolutely remarkable lady."

Nursing home manager Susan Hogg said: "She was a lovely lady who was highly respected and well liked by everybody here."

A funeral service is taking place at Durham Crematorium on Friday, at 9.30am.