A WOMAN who worked as a farmer for many years has died at the age of 100.

Mrs Vesta Cowgill, of Batley Hall residential home, farmed at Whitley and Emley Moor with her husband, Ernest.

The couple were married in 1925 and had farms in both areas, with Mrs Cowgill a regular worker with the harvest.

She was born in Slaithwaite in March, 1904, and went to school in the village until she was 12.

Her parents then took on the tenancy of The Kaye Arms at Grange Moor and Vesta helped out in the kitchens.

She enrolled at a secretarial school at the age of 13 and worked in a solicitor's office before her marriage.

Mr Cowgill died in 1954 and his widow moved to Thornhill, working at the Scarborough Hotel in Dewsbury and also at Candy's sweet shop in the town.

She was a hard-working volunteer for local organisations, and for many years helped at the Mind shop in Wellington Road, Dewsbury.

Mrs Cowgill was also a member of the Mothers' Union at Whitley.

She leaves two sons, Alan and Brian, three grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

Mrs Cowgill's funeral is at Dewsbury Crematorium on Thursday.