A WOMAN, who received birthday cards from the Queen, Prince Charles and Prime Minister Tony Blair, has died aged 105.

Hilda Tinsley, who lived in Hurworth near Darlington, died on Monday.

She was born in Redcar in 1896, and although doctors thought she was so weak she would only live an hour, she went on to enjoy a full and happy life.

Mrs Tinsley survived two world wars. She was 18 when the First World War broke out. In 1917 she went to work in a munitions factory.

When the Second World War was declared, she returned to munitions work in Aycliffe, at the age of 43.

Mrs Tinsley retired from her job as a school cook in her 60s and spent her latter years looking after her disabled son, John, who died in 1995.

She lived with her son at Rockcliffe Court, Hurworth, having spent her early life in Middlesbrough. She later moved to the Broadacres sheltered housing complex in Hurworth.

Mrs Tinsley was an avid Coronation Street and Emmerdale fan, and visited the Corrie set on her 100th birthday.

Her last birthday, in June, was marked by the King's Division Waterloo Band playing for her at her home. She also received telegrams from the Queen, Queen Mother, Princess Alexandra, Princess Margaret, Duchess of Kent and the Prime Minister.

A funeral service will be held at St Augustine's Church, Darlington, at 10am on Thursday.