A WINCHESTER woman believed to be the oldest newspaper girl in town has hung up her hat and bag for the last time.

Norma Miller, 77, has been handing out papers around the city for the last eight years and delivered her last round last Saturday (December 6).

Thought to be the second-oldest newspaper person in the city – beaten off the top spot by husband of 55 years, 80-year-old Tony – the grandmother-of-two said she used to follow her husband during his round when she’d finished her own.

“I have really enjoyed it,” she said. “Walking is good for me because I have two bad knees, and I don’t know what I will do now.

“I’m retiring because I am going to be 78 soon and I don’t want to fall and hurt my knees when it snows. I want to spend more time at home.”

Her employer, Caroline Plambeck, who runs the Bridge Shop with her husband Philip, said: “She’s amazing. People recognise her when they see her pulling along her trolley day after day.

“She and Tony do this seven days a week, with a day off for Christmas when the shop’s shut. It’s an amazing work ethic really!

“She stops to feed the ducks and all the cats along her route wait for her because she’s always got little treats for them. She wasn’t that keen on ice but you’d always see her out, whatever the weather. She never complained about it.”

Mr and Mrs Plambeck, who took over the shop in February, said it was a bittersweet moment as they said goodbye but were very happy some loyal customers turned out to wish Norma well on her way.

“We presented her with a large bouquet of flowers after writing to her customers to let them know she was going and everyone gave a donation towards it,” Mrs Plambeck added.

“We were really sorry to see her go but as she’s 78 we can’t ask much more of her.”