TRIBUTES have been paid to one of the region's oldest residents after she died aged 105.

Maud Meadley, from Hartlepool, was described as a chatty lady with numerous, great stories to tell, by nurses who looked after her at The Ascot Nursing Home, in the town. She died at the home on Good Friday.

Mrs Meadley, a grandmother of five, great-grandmother of eight and great-great- grandmother of five, moved to Hartlepool from Northern Ireland when she was three after her father took up a job in the ship yards.

She lived on the town's Central Estate until she moved into the home and was a well-known face in the town.

She led an active life and worked in a laundry until the age of 63.

Her daughter, Joan Hillan, 78, said: "She was full of life and loved dancing and bingo. She had a very active life.

"I believe she was the oldest lady in Hartlepool and she will be sadly missed by everyone."

Mrs Meadley attributed the success of her long life to plain living and plain food with no alcohol or smoking. She often went cycling, swimming and dancing.

A spokeswoman from The Ascot Nursing Home said: "It was a pleasure to look after Maud. She was very chatty with lots of stories to tell. We are all going to miss her."

A cortege leaves Strathmore House, Hartlepool, tomorrow for a service and crematorium in Stranton Grange Crematorium Chapel, at 10am.

The oldest resident in Hartlepool now is Fred Dickinson, who celebrated his 105th birthday last month.