30989-75ONE of Swindon's oldest and best-loved residents has died just days after celebrating her 104th birthday.

Dorothy Sprules or Nan as she was affectionately known by friends and staff at her nursing home died of a suspected heart attack on Tuesday.

As reported a fortnight ago, the great-great grandmother received a surprise phone call from her idol Sir Cliff Richard.

The singing legend serenaded her live on BBC Radio Swindon with a performance of Congrat-ulations.

Sir Cliff had told Mrs Sprules that she was one of his oldest fans.

Later she joked: "I remember him when he was running around in shorts as a young man."

Staff at Langton House in Wroughton, where she resided for the past six years, said they were devastated at her sudden departure, but vowed that she would not be forgotten.

"Dorothy was everyone's Nan and everyone will really miss her," said Alice Bartley, manager of the home.

"She was extremely alert and managed her own care right up to her death."

Mrs Bartley, who returned home on Monday after a break in Cuba, said that the pensioner demanded to know all the details.

"She wanted to know everything about the holiday.

"She was just so interested in what was going on," she said.

"On the day that she died Nationwide had kindly carried out some gardening for us.

"She came over to me and said what a lovely job they had done and said she couldn't wait to sit outside and enjoy it."

Mrs Sprules, who was born in Dorset, moved to Winterbourne Bassett just after the First World War with her father, a horse and carriage driver.

In 1922 she married her late husband, George, who was ten years her senior.

The couple had two children, Clifford, 76, and Joan, 80.

And in 1937 she moved to Clyde Cottages in North Wrou-ghton.

Her daughter described her as a warm, fun-loving person who lived by the old adage that hard work never hurt anybody.

"She worked extremely hard," said Joan, who lives in Mark-ham Place, Wroughton.

"During the last war she worked in canteens on Eastcott Hill, helping to feed people.

"And then after the war she used to clean private houses. She didn't stop until she was 70.

"We can not imagine life without her, because she was around for so long.

"The amazing thing was that she seemed to stop ageing 20 years ago."

The funeral will take place on Monday, July 12, at Kingsdown Crematorium.

'Remarkable lady'

Sir Cliff described Nan as a remarkable lady.

He said: "I am just very pleased to have had the opportunity to convey my birthday wishes to her.

"I was thrilled to learn that she was still a fan at 104. My deepest sympathy go to her family."

Kevin Shoesmith