A LEADING light of The Northern Echo's campaign for official recognition of the region's unsung war heroes has died.

Aycliffe Angel Maisie White spent the Second World War working in the munitions factory in Newton Aycliffe.

More than 50 years on, with the help of the Remember The Angels campaign, she played a major role in gaining national recognition for herself and thousands of fellow Home Front personnel.

In March this year she attended a national service for the Angels at Coventry Cathedral, and two months later she was at Newton Aycliffe for the unveiling of a monument in their honour.

"She did everything. It couldn't have panned out better," said Alec White, 54, her only child.

"When she went to Coventry earlier this year, that was the pinnacle of it all. I think for a little woman she achieved an awful lot."

Mrs White's funeral took place on Friday at Cockerton Methodist Church, Darlington, followed by cremation.