Shopkeeper Elvira Delnevo, who has died at the age of 96, ran the 'gossip shop of Witney' for 58 years.

She was the oldest serving shopkeeper in the town, known fondly as "Vera," running the drapers at 36 High Street for the past 58 years.

Despite her age, she continued coming in to the shop as recently as two weeks before her sudden death at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

Her brother Fred Delnevo said: "It was the gossip shop in the town, she was almost the queen of Witney.

"I know she also helped a lot of people and many, when they moved away from the town, fondly remembered the shop and Elvira.

"She never married, but was at the heart of a very big family, the matriarch almost, after mother died. She was a wonderful lady and we are all going to miss her."

Miss Delnevo was one of 13 children born of Italian immigrants who came to Witney in 1906.

Prior to running her drapers, she had been in business with a children's clothes shop in Bridge Street after training as an apprentice at the town's former Cook and Boggis store.

Her brother Fred also went into the retail trade, setting up an electrical and TV shop which still operates in High Street.

Lesley Semaine, chairman of Witney Chamber of Trade, said: "It is always sad when someone who has been a part of the town for so long dies.

"The Delnevo name, I should think, is known by virtually anyone who has lived in Witney for a while. We send our condolences to all the family."

Miss Delnevo, who never disclosed her age - always saying she was 21 - lived in Davenport Road.

For many years she was a member of the Witney Town Ladies Bowls Club at the Leys, part of the team that in 1969 won the Oxfordshire County Fours Championship.