MORE than 100 family and friends turned out to pay their last respects at the funeral of former Darwen postmistress Mrs Margery Harrison, who died in Blackburn Infirmary.

Mrs Harrison, who lived in Darwen for a large part of her life, worked at the Post Office for more than 40 years, rising to the position of postmistress at the town's main office.

After her retirement she was a familiar figure in local sub-post offices in the town and helped numerous elderly people with income tax matters.

Margery, who always refused to tell anyone her age, was well known locally as a person who was full of kindness and a tireless worker for charity. She was treasurer of the Darwen branch of the British Heart Foundation and a former president of Darwen Business and Professional Women's Club.

The funeral was at St Cuthbert's Church, Darwen, followed by cremation at Pleasington. Family and friends then met at the Whitehall Hotel and Country Club, Darwen.

A collection at the funeral raised several hundreds of pounds for the British Heart Foundation.

One of a family of four, she was born at Roughlee, Pendle, when her father, Frank Thubron, a sergeant in the Lancashire Constabulary, was stationed there.

He also served at the old Darwen Police Station in Duckworth Street.

After the family moved to Chorley she attended the grammar school there.

Mrs Harrison leaves a younger brother, Philip, who lives at Nantwich, Cheshire.

Picture: Margery being installed as president of Darwen Business and Professional Club in 1994 by Pat Forbes