The Dymock area has lost one of its oldest survivors, with the death of Violet Hawtin, aged 102.

Mrs Hawtin's funeral took place at St Mary's Church in the village on Saturday.

She celebrated her last birthday on Sunday, Feb-ruary 23, in Eastnor.

Mrs Hawtin had lived in Birchams Grange old people's home in Eastnor for several years, following a fall.

But she had spent most of her life in the vicinity of Dymock and lived at The Horseshoe pub, Brooms Green, from the age of eight months to her early adult years.

Her funeral, attended by 20 relatives and 37 friends. The service was taken by the Reverend Vi Chester.

The centenarian's last wish was that a huntsman from the Ledbury Hunt should sound a horn at her departure, and this was carried out as mourners left the church.

A huntsman had also attended her 100th birthday celebrations held at Broom's Green Village Hall, and a horn was sounded on that occasion too.

Her niece, Vi Mowbray, of Tillers Green, said Mrs Hawtin had suffered two small strokes, just following her last birthday celebrations.

She said: "In the end, she had to give up, and passed away peacefully.

"She was my life for 74 years and like a mother to me, and she was the spark among us all."