TRIBUTES have been paid to a well-loved baker and fundraiser who helped to raise more than £2 million for Bolton Hospice.

Mollie Bentham, aged 90, spent her working life as a baker and had two shops — in Victory Street and Church Road, Bolton — until retirement.

She was a keen fundraiser for various charities in the borough and in 1989 she bought Bolton Hospice its first shop in Chorley Old Road — in the same location it stands today — which has since raised more than £2.2 million.

Mrs Bentham, who did not marry or have children, worked tirelessly at the shop for 23 years until 2012, and during this time she said that buying the shop was the "best thing to do to help the town".

Mrs Bentham, who was also a member of the Soroptimists volunteer organisation and a lady Freemason, died on May 1 shortly after being diagnosed with dementia.

Her nephew Robert Bentham, aged 56, paid tribute to his "amazing, hard working" auntie.

He said: "She was an amazing woman who would do anything for anybody.

"She was an absolute workaholic with both her charity work and her bakery, so woe betide anyone who tried to shirk their duties.

"When she had the bakery we would often go and visit her when we were younger.

"She'd be up at 3am baking ready to open the shop at 8am. It was a different life in those days.

"For her 90th birthday we took her to the Savoy in London for afternoon tea and took her to a show, which she loved. She was as fit as a fiddle then.

"Sadly though, that changed after she was diagnosed with dementia."

Shops manager Cathy Wright paid tribute to the "inspirational" volunteer who dedicated so much to help the hospice.

She said: "Mollie was an inspirational lady, as well as a great baker. In my early days as shop manager she welcomed me into the pack and taught me well.

"The dedication that Mollie showed to the hospice was inspirational and her impact is immeasurable. She will be dearly missed."

Mrs Bentham's family have thanked the Memory Clinic Team in Bolton which supported them following Mrs Bentham's dementia diagnosis.