ONE of East Lancashire's oldest residents has died at the age of 103.

Elizabeth Thomas, who was known as Betsy, died in Lane Head House in Briercliffe Road, Burnley, on Saturday.

Pauline O'Neil, a career at the home, today paid tribute to her, saying: "Betsy was a wonderful person. We all got to know her really well because she had been here so long.

"It was such a shame that she didn't make it to 104 because I know that she would have loved to have reached that age.

"She was very strong minded as she managed to give up smoking when she was 98. All the staff here will really miss here."

Lane Head House was among the list of homes earmarked when Lancashire County Council announced plans to close 35 of its 48 care homes.

Betsy became the face of a Lancashire Evening Telegraph campaign against the plans.

Staff said the pensioner was shocked at the thought of having to be moved from the home where she had lived for more than 12 years and had lots of friends.

Betsy's family did not want to comment.