EILEEN Percy, the public face of Daily Echo in Winchester for more than 35 years, has died at the age of 96.

Eileen together with her husband Harold Percy ran our Winchester office from 1935 until Harold's death in 1970.

Eileen has died after a long battle with illness.

Harold was the manager and editor of the Daily Echo's Winchester edition and was responsible for writing some of the stories, making contacts and running the office.

It was Eileen's job to sell copies of the paper, order photos, help out with supplements and the general administration. It meant that she was the face of the Echo to thousands of our readers and customers over the years.

Daughter Mary Tutton, said: "They were a real team and they loved working for the Echo. They met in Salisbury at a tennis court as they were both keen tennis players and they married at St Osmond's Catholic Church.

"They both moved to Newport to work at the Daily Echo Isle of Wight office for two years in 1933 before being asked to run the Winchester office in the high street from 1935.

"They were both very well known in Winchester and after my father died in 1970 my mother continued to work for the Echo for a little longer on a part-time basis.

Energetic "She was a very bright and energetic woman who loved to play hockey and tennis in her younger days and she had a great love for Ireland."

Eileen passed away on Thursday January 18 and a service will be held on Friday January 26 at 12.15pm at St Peter's RC Church.

Mrs Tutton added: "My mum used to love going to Lourdes and we would make a trip every year without fail."

Eileen leaves behind one daughter Mary and one son Anthony as well as nine grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.