ONE of Gwent's oldest people has died aged 104.

Irene Harris, who ran Irene's Cafe in Abertillery for 24 years, died on Sunday after suffering a stroke on Saturday.

She died at the Grosvenor Care Home where she has lived for the last two years, surrounded by her family and many friends there.

Grandson John Harris said: "I think her body was just worn out and it was her time to go. She had been sat downstairs with the girls and just went upstairs and slipped into a semi-coma."

Mr Harris described her as the "life and soul of the party" at Grosvenor Care Home, where loved playing bingo.

He added: "She knew everything about everyone in Abertillery and if you wanted to know something, you'd go on and see my nan. She had a fabulous life and everyone loved her at the Grosvenor, the staff adored her."

As well as running Irene's cafe between 1953 and 1977, Mrs Harris worked all her adult life in cafes and restaurants in the town.

She had two sons Derek and Norman, three grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Mrs Harris' funeral service will be held at St Michael's Church, Abertillery on Tuesday, June 28, at 1pm, and she will be buried with husband Ronald in the cemetery at Brynithel.