A WELL-known pensioner who was a regular character on the streets of Ipswich has died.Pensioner Emma Hunt had greeted passers-by in Ipswich for 50 years and was mainly recognised because of her dog Benjam, who was always seen at her side.

A WELL-known pensioner who was a regular character on the streets of Ipswich has died.

Pensioner Emma Hunt had greeted passers-by in Ipswich for 50 years and was mainly recognised because of her dog Benjam, who was always seen at her side.

She was known for selling copies of the Evening Star on the Corn Hill and later sold flowers on the streets.

The 82-year-old, was born and grew up in Dereham, Norfolk, but when she married and decided to move to Ipswich, she and husband Douglas walked the entire distance.

Her nephew Paul Canham said: "She had been brought up in the countryside and was used to helping out on farms.

"But after she married Douglas Hunt the couple decided to move to Ipswich and walked the entire distance.

"It took them three days to make it and they spent the nights sleeping in haystacks."

The couple set up home in Little Whip Street and Mr Hunt worked for Ransomes.

After his death several years ago, Mrs Hunt moved to Burrell Road where she lived until her death on New Year's Eve.

Mr Canham, who lives in Dereham said: "She was taken ill on Christmas Day and admitted to Ipswich Hospital. She later died of pneumonia and septicemia.

"Although she had many friends in the town, she was quite an isolated woman and didn't have many visitors to her house.

"She had a hard life but maintained a heart of gold and I am sure the people who used to stop and chat to her will miss her very much.

"You don't get many characters like her around these days."

One of the many people who stopped to speak to Mrs Hunt was Raymond Miller.

Mr Miller, of Newton Road, Ipswich, said: "She was always a pleasant character to talk to and I often wondered how she could spend all day on her legs as her ankles were always bandaged.

"She appeared to me to be a very strong character and I always stopped to chat to her whenever we passed in the street. All I can say now is Rest in Peace Emma."

A funeral service will take place at St Mary of Stoke Church, Ipswich, on January 21 at 2pm.

N Did you know Emma Hunt? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk