The daughter of an 87-year-old grandmother who died when fire consumed her flat has paid tribute to her mother.

Irene Cockerton, who lived in West Ewell and was a former dinner lady at XXXX, which became Epsom and Ewell High School was killed after a fire broke out two flats below hers at Gibson Court, Hinchley Wood, on Friday, September 30.

She was the only resident of the warden-assisted accommodation not to have reached safety before the infero took hold.

Her daughter, Ann Fox, 53, described her mother as a real character with a wicked sense of humour.

She enjoyed needlework and always did the Daily Mail crossword to keep her mind active.

She said: "She was very family orientated and loved being with her family.

"She would come to ours for lunch every Sunday, which she loved.

"She was very tough and resilient; she took whatever life threw at her."

Mrs Cockerton moved into her flat in Gibson Court five years ago, after the death of her husband Bill left her wanting to be closer to her family.

She quickly settled in and could often be seen exercising in the corridors, or lunching with her daughter who would visit during lunch breaks.

Mrs Fox said: "She was very happy there.

“It’s like they have their own little family and everyone looks after each other."

All of her belongings were destroyed in the fire but Mrs Fox said she hoped her father’s ashes, which were kept under a dressing table in the flat, would be retrievable.

She said: "It’s a comfort to know that they went together.

“She was very private in her own little way, and made of stern stuff, but she missed him."

The pair met through a cycling club and would often go for bike rides together, when they were not spending time on their other love - sequence dancing.

They also worked at the same canning company, Metal Box, where Mrs Cockerton worked as a secretary.

Mrs Cockerton lived in West Ewell for about 20 years before retiring to Bognor Regis.

Mrs Cockerton leaves behind her daughter Ann, son-in-law Martin, and three grandchildren Sarah, Jamie and Rick.