One of the oldest women in Worthing has died shortly before her 105th birthday.

Hilda Beer was born in Weymouth, Dorset, in 1897, one of five children to a master baker and his wife.

Mrs Beer married Douglas Howard Beer in 1921 and they had three children, Howard, Joan and Brian.

Howard, a pilot officer, was killed in action during the Second World War while serving with the RAF on a bombing raid over Nuremburg, Germany.

Mr Beer died 35 years ago and in 1978 Joan and her mother moved to Worthing, where Mrs Beer joined St Paul's Church.

She enjoyed singing, amateur dramatics and was a member of the Mothers' Union for 60 years.

Mrs Beer, who would have been 105 on December 11, had four grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren, aged 15 months and one month.

She lived the final years of her life at The Priory rest home, South Street, Tarring.

Her funeral was taking place at Worthing Crematorium today.