THE sister of a former pub landlady has paid tribute to her. Lily Armitage died on Monday aged 95, following a stroke on Saturday.

She was being cared for at Greenfields House Nursing Home, Newton Aycliffe.

Mrs Armitage was suffering from Alzheimer's disease. Despite the illness taking its toll in her final years, Mrs Armitage's sister, Betty Walters, will always remember her infectious laugh, glamorous dress sense and big heart.

Mrs Armitage married twice - first to Harry Dobinson and later Harry Armitage - and spent her younger days as manager of The Hole in the Wall pub, in Darlington, before becoming landlady of The George and Dragon, in Yarm, near Stockton.

She was best known, however, for the many years she spent behind the bar at The Three Tuns, in Sadberge, near Darlington, where Ms Walters was landlady for 42 years before retiring in 1991.

She had a house in Stonedale Crescent, Darlington, where her son, Malcolm, now lives with his family, but spent most of her time with Ms Walters, 87, and friend Gwen Pritchard, 83, at their house in Hillside Terrace, Sadberge.

Ms Pritchard said: "She was hugely outgoing and used to scream with laughter. She was a very happy-go-lucky person."

Ms Walters said: "She always looked immaculate. She had matching shoes and handbags and loved her jewellery. She was a remarkable person."

The present landlady of The Three Tuns, Marie Kenny, grew up in the village and remembers both sisters working in the pub.

She said: "Both of them were full of life and dressed up to the nines. Everybody knew and loved them."

Mrs Armitage's funeral will take place at 11.45am, on Tuesday, at Darlington Crematorium Chapel.