A former Twickenham teacher who achieved fame as the oldest ever contestant on Channel 4's Countdown quiz has died just short of her 98th birthday.

Bertha Violet Bourne was described as a colourful character' by her friend of 35 years, Margaret Hastings.

Bertha was born in Brighton and studied mathematics at Royal Holloway College, London, in Egham, then took a post-graduate course at King's College, London.

Her lifelong interest in personal fitness led to her being captain of the London University swimming team.

She went on to work as a maths teacher at Twickenham County School.

Bertha appeared on Countdown ten years ago and cherished a photograph taken of her with Carol Vorderman, showing that she could still kick her foot above her head at the age of 87. She kept up a remarkably active lifestyle despite a leg injury which meant she had to walk with a stick.

"I will try anything once," she declared, and proved it in her eighties by flying on Concorde, taking a trip in a helicopter and ascending in a hot air balloon.

Bertha Bourne died in West Middlesex Hospital on February 18 after a short illness. Her birthday would have been on April 30.

Her late husband, Eric Bourne, was entertainments editor of the Richmond and Twickenham Times some years ago.