ONE of Kidderminster's oldest residents has died at the beloved home she had been determined not to leave.

Victoria Hiles, who was 106 in May, was fiercely proud of her independence and was thought to be the oldest resident in Kidderminster.

Her grandson Craig Sanger of Wolverley said: "The registrar of births, marriages and deaths and the undertaker both said she was the oldest lady they could remember. It is an amazing achievement, especially to still be living at home."

Mrs Hiles died peacefully in her sleep on Thursday November 13 after slipping away little by little during the past few weeks.

Mr Sanger said: "She went how she wanted to go, in her own house. In recent weeks the doctor wanted her to go into hospital but she flatly refused. She could be very, very determined."

She had been helped by carers at home and Mr Sanger said he could not speak highly enough of them.

Mrs Hiles lived in Kidderminster all her life and had been a dressmaker when she was a young woman.

She later managed several shops.

She was married to George Hiles, a journalist with a Birmingham evening newspaper, who died in the mid-1960s.

They had one son who died unexpectedly when he was 42.

Mr Sanger said he thought the secret of Mrs Hiles' longevity was pure self-will.

He said: "She went against every medical rule which is supposed to lead to a long life. She enjoyed a drop of whisky and had everything fried in fat."

Mrs Hiles leaves three grandsons and four great-grandchildren.

Her funeral was held at St John's Church, Kidderminster.