Woman dies in her sleep aged 109

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A woman believed to be the third oldest person in the UK has died at the age of 109 at a nursing home in Norfolk.

Hilda Newson, born in 1898, died in her sleep on Friday at the Park House Nursing Home in Great Yarmouth, where she had lived for almost 25 years.

Miss Newson, who never married, was one of eight children and worked in the fishing industry as a beatster - making and repairing fishing nets.

She gave up her 50-a-day cigarette habit at the age of 85.

Miss Newson celebrated her 109th birthday in December 2007.