One of Bradford's oldest residents, who lost her two sons in their teens, has died at the age of 105.

Today her 80-year-old nephew paid tribute to his aunt, Agnes Wheatley - who, despite living most of her life on her own, and being partially deaf and suffering very poor eyesight, never complained.

Norman White, who lives in Church Street, Yeadon, said his aunt was "very kind, very soft," and said her ability to take in her stride all that life threw at her contributed to her long life.

"We used to visit her every week and she was always pleasant and sweet."

Mrs Wheatley was born in Nelson, Lancashire, but moved to Bingley at a very young age. She died after contracting pneumonia but Mr White said that otherwise she had not suffered ill health.

"She outlived her children and her two husbands. She had a sad life really but she didn't mope or get sad about it and that was what was remarkable about her. She just got on with her life and didn't complain.

"She had a lot of friends but not much family. We were all she had and we went to see her at least once a week."

Mrs Wheatley's first son Fred died at the age of 17 from a liver complaint. Her first husband, Ernest, who was a tailor, died in his early 30s.

She then remarried and had another son, David Waite. He was in the airforce and died during the war. He was just 20. Her second husband died in 1966.

Mr White said: "Since then she had been pretty much on her own. She has a step-daughter and another cousin but many of her friends are not around simply because Agnes outlived them all."

Agnes was not able to enjoy many of the simple things in life. Her failing eyesight meant that she was unable to read or watch television, but kept herself occupied by mixing with friends. Agnes received a telegram from the Queen on her 100th birthday and then another one on her 105th birthday last October. On her 100th birthday she was quoted in the Telegraph & Argus as saying that 'hard work, good friends and the odd drop of whisky' had kept her going.'

She spent her last two years at Wingfield Nursing Home, Bingley, where nurse-in-charge Joyce Holmes paid tribute to her sense of humour: "She was quite a character. She was a lovely lady who was loved by staff and residents."

The funeral will be held tomorrow at Nab Wood Crematorium.