An East Sussex spinster said to have lived "like a pauper" has died, leaving her £7 million fortune to charity.

Friends of Mary Guthrie Essame, 77, who died in January, today spoke of their astonishment at the former nurse's secret wealth.

Miss Essame, of Filsham Road, St Leonards, left £10,000 to the church founded by her father in her £6,998,942 gross will.

A host of charities working with people and animals also benefited, including the Save the Children Fund, Church Army, Christian Aid, Help the Aged, War on Want and the RSPCA.

Neighbour and friend Monica Unter described Miss Essame as a traditional and charming lady who enjoyed her garden.

She said: "She was a lovely lady but she lived like pauper. She had very traditional values. You wouldn't have known she was well off. She used to walk around in her old shoes and skirt with holes in it."

Miss Essame worked as a nurse in London and lived alone in her large, Victorian detached house in Filsham Road for more than 30 years.

Mrs Unter said: "She was a well known face in the community and before she became too ill was often seen walking her terrier and chatting to neighbours."

Her sprawling two-acre garden was tended by two gardeners and neighbours were often given produce from her vegetable patch.

Mrs Hunter said: "She used to love knitting and she was very generous. If I was ever collecting for anything she would always give me the most money."

Valerie Doidge, vicar of St Ethelburga's Church in St Leonards, said she was surprised but happy the church had been bequeathed the £10,000.

She said: "Miss Essame's father was the first vicar of St Ethelburga's. She and her family have always maintained an interest in the life of the church over the years."

Probate was granted to David Scott, of New Street, London, and her solicitor Mark Tod, of New Square Inn, London.