TRIBUTES have been pouring in for one of Suffolk's oldest residents who has died aged 104.Faith Armstrong, of Haughley New Street near Stowmarket, always believed the secret of her long life was hard work.

TRIBUTES have been pouring in for one of Suffolk's oldest residents who has died aged 104.

Faith Armstrong, of Haughley New Street near Stowmarket, always believed the secret of her long life was hard work.

Mrs Armstrong, whose husband Fred died in 1929, had three sons and a foster daughter. She had worked in service and agriculture and was born in Stowmarket in 1897.

Locally she was well known for her service with the Women's Institute and as a devoted Christian who attended Wetherden's parish church of St Mary the Virgin, where her funeral service was held last week.

Rev Deidre Parmenter, rector of Wetherden, said: "Faith loved this church. She sang in the choir, encouraged all he children to sing here and pumped the organ.

"She was full of life and had a great sense if fun. She had had a hard life, but had enjoyed it to the full.''

Mrs Armstrong was still cycling in her 90s and taking part in the historic churches bike ride for charity.

Her son Jeff Armstrong, of Elmswell, said: "My mother was widowed at 32, left with three sons to care for. She was such a great mother to us.''