THE COUNTRY'S oldest pub landlady Vera Ghey from the Bull's Head in Callington has died at the age of 103.

Vera was licensee of the public house for 63 years and died at an Albaston nursing home where she had been a resident for the last three years.

Although it was run by her business partner Gerry Foster in latter years, Vera kept her hand in at the pub and a new pub sign was put up last year with her name on it.

Callington portreeve Jeremy Gist said many would remember Vera for her outstanding skills as a pianist. She frequently played piano in the Bull's Head and in the second world war she entertained with the Vera Ghey Dance Band.

She also raised a lot of money for charity and supported organisations in Callington.

'Vera was a woman of very good character and has been part of my family life for as long as I can remember,' he said. 'Her death is the passing of a legend.'

A thanksgiving service for Vera's life will be held at St Mary's Church, Callington, on Friday, January 11 at 2pm. A retiring collection is for the Cornwall Air Ambulance and Macmillan Cancer Support.