RETIRED businesswoman and charity worker Muriel Withington never forgot a Park House, Tyldesley, residents' birthday.

For 25 years she sent cards on the right day to every single pensioner in the care home where she was an active supporter.

Its residents are among the many people of Atherton and Tyldesley who are mourning Muriel's sudden death at the age of 83 following an operation at Bolton Royal Infirmary.

Muriel, who is survived by husband, Joe, lived in Atherton and from the 1950-to 70s the couple ran two bakery shops in Elliott Street, Tyldesley, and another in Shakerley. She was a member, president and secretary of the Tyldesley Chamber of Trade and president of the junior girls' section of the St John Ambulance Brigade.

She was also a founder of the Three Towns Operatic Society which formed in 1968 and an active member of the Lifeboat Society.

She was president of Tyldesley Inner Wheel from 2002-3, an honorary member of Tyldesley Rotary Club and a regular visitor to see residents of the Chanters Care Home in Atherton.

Muriel worked as a clerk on the denationalisation process at Bickershaw Colliery and also as a social services clerk in the 1970s and 80s.

In paying tribute Tyldesley Rotarian Hugh Morgan-Jones said: "She was a very intelligent individual, an active supporter of all good causes and an all-round good egg. She will be greatly missed."

A funeral service was conducted at Tyldesley Methodist Church on Tuesday followed by cremation at Howe Bridge.