A FORMER Bicester registrar who would have married hundreds of couples during her career has died.

Dorothy Bainton, 91, was superintendent registrar, based at the Garth, in Launton Road, from 1976 to 1986, and then deputy registrar until 1990, registering births, deaths and marriages across the town.

She also assisted her husband Raymond, a former Bicester and Ploughley Urban District Council clerk and later a town councillor and mayor. He died in 1993.

Mrs Bainton’s other big passion in life was Bicester Methodist Church and the Scout movement.

She was a member of the church from the early 1950s until she died, and was a leading figure in organising its coffee mornings.

She was also a member of the choir and often cooked Sunday lunch for visiting pastors.

Mother to David and Margaret, Mrs Bainton, of Launton Road, was also involved in local scout groups, and was vice-president of Bicester & District Scouts between 1993 and 2004, and a former deputy leader of the 3rd Bicester Methodist Cub Scout pack.

Her son David, who lives near High Wycombe, said: “She was very independent and was still driving into her mid-80s.

“She was a very hard-working woman and was very committed to the church.”

Mrs Bainton, who died on April 6 after a short illness, also leaves five grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Her funeral has already taken place.