A Bradford resident who lived through three centuries, seeing both World Wars, has died at the age of 107.

Winnie Lawton lived in Bradford all her life. Born in Manchester Road, in 1898, she saw the mass introduction of radio, telephones, and televisions and mothered ten children including two sets of twins.

Her extended family through her children totalled 80 people with the youngest being two great-grandchildren born last November.

One family member described her as "picture of love and compassion in the hearts of many".

During the Second World War, she would patrol the streets of Bradford during fire watch in case any bombs hit the city.

This would be the start of a lifetime of volunteering that saw her work for the Women's Royal Voluntary Service, delivering food to elderly people as part of a meals on wheels project and serving tea in Bradford's hospitals.

She was awarded a medal for her services, which stretched through decades.

In later life, she ran the pensioner's club at Great Horton Working Men's Club, organising musical shows and day trips out.

Even though she too was a pensioner, working into her late 80s, she would call them "me old people" and was known to jump on the piano and break into song.

"She was a typical British woman, absolutely right through and through", said Carmel Scanlon, wife of Mrs Lawton's eldest son, Bernard.

"She was a generous spirit who always found a way to help people and would never expect anything in return."

Even though she spent much time helping other people she always took care of her family, having to work part time jobs when her husband was called up for service during the war.

Bernard Scanlon said: "She would be out in the early morning cleaning offices and always be back in time to get us all out of bed."

Among her grandchildren, she was famous for her baking, always having cakes and pies cooking away. She would often have them deliver food to elderly people in the area who were house-bound.

Mrs Lawton moved into a home at the age of 99 after a fall at a Boxing Day family party.

She spent the last eight years of her life in Meadowcroft Residential home, where she adopted the residents as a second family.

Deputy manager Mike Braithwaite said: "She was very popular, lively and on the ball. She was a character that's for sure, she'll be greatly missed."

Last month, she celebrated her 107th birthday at a family party that was also attended by the Deputy Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Choudhary Rangzeb, and Deputy Lady Mayoress Zahida Parveen Rangzeb. Her funeral was due to be held today at St Joseph's Church, Pakington Street, Little Horton, at 11am.

Any donations in her memory can be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Society.