HER life has spanned three centuries -- taking in the first and second world wars, many conflicts in the Middle East and fighting in Argentina.

But, sadly, battler Annie Woodcock -- one of Bolton's oldest women -- has died, aged 107.

The mother-of-one passed away peacefully in Nottingham where she has lived since 1943.

And her son, Melvyn, paid tribute to the mother he said had "an infectious smile and a caring nature."

In recent years, Annie suffered a number of falls but overcame them all, mustering up all her strength to remain an independent woman.

She was born Annie Halstead on May 25, 1896, in Tonge and was a regular at Trinity Methodist Church.

When she left school, aged 15, she went to work in a dyed wool mill in Bolton and later met William Woodcock, who worked for the Oddfellows Friendly Society.

The pair married in 1928 and in 1940 had their only son, Melvyn. Three years later the young family uprooted to Nottingham when William was offered a new job there with the same company.

Melvyn lived with his parents until he married wife Kathleen in 1966. They had three children, Nicola, Neil and Karen in 1972, 1973 and 1976.

Melvyn said: "My children gave my mother a new lease of life. She was in her 80s and absolutely doted on the three. She loved them to bits."

Annie's husband died in 1988. From that point on, she lived alone in Nottingham. In 1999, however, after a number of falls, she moved in with her son and his wife who looked after her until she died of old age.

Melvyn said: "She was a very well woman and managed to walk around on her zimmer frame.

"I think she lived so long because she was well looked after, loved and respected. She was a moderate lady -- not drinking or smoking heavily -- and she took a healthy interest in things around her.

"She had a comfortable life and will be sorely missed."

1896 FACTFILE

Chinese envoy Li Hongzhang signs a secret treaty of alliance with Russia in Moscow for the coronation of Czar Nicholas II.

Madagascar is proclaimed a French colony.

Physicist Henri Becquerel identifies the radioactivity of uranium.

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