TRIBUTES have been paid to a well-known traveller in Worcestershire who had over 200 grandchildren.

Sarah Smith, 89, known as Biddy, died last month with a funeral held in her memory yesterday at Pershore Abbey.

Mrs Smith had 14 children with her husband Jim and was known to many in the travelling community.

Cheryl Smith, her daughter in law, said: "Throughout her life Biddy was a very well known member of the travelling community and was loved and respected by all that knew her.

"For most of her life, Biddy worked on many farms around Worcestershire including hop picking in Bromyard, vegetable and fruit picking around Worcester and Pershore.

"Biddy spent many years fruit picking including plums, apples, gooseberries at Holloways Farm in Leigh Sinton.

"She spent over 17 years working in Birlingham near Pershore, picking peas, sugar beet cabbage peas and sprouts.

"She travelled all over Worcestershire in her caravans seeking work on the land.

"More than 250 people attended her funeral. It was a great send-off for her.

"She also worked in Ombersley potato picking."

At the age of 17, she met her husband who died in 1986 at Ronkswood Hospital.

Mrs Smith was born in Putley, Herefordshire in 1928 as one of nine children. She died at her home in Twyning, near Tewkesbury.

She leaves behind her 13 surviving children and over 200 grandchildren.