A retired hat maker who spent the Second World War developing top secret photographs taken behind enemy lines has passed away.

Dulcie Wells, 103, of Theydon Grove, Epping, was born a few months before the Titanic sank in 1912, near Whipps Cross Hospital in Leytonstone.

After leaving school at 14, she went to train as a milliner in central London, moving to South Woodford when she got married to late husband Claude Wells in the 1930s.

One of her earliest memories was as a four-year-old during the First World War, when she saw a Zeppelin over the south coast while staying with her aunt in Hastings.

During the Second World War, when she was in her 20s, she worked for the Ministry of Defence, processing pictures taken by Allied planes.

Mrs Wells, who was known for riding her electric scooter around Epping High Street, still knitted and played computer games every day.

She lived with her son, Richard, daughter-in-law Rose and full time carer Tendai.

Daughter, Pam Wells, said: "Mum never let anything get her down.

"If there was a problem, she simply shrugged her shoulders and got on with life.

"Although housebound in her later years, mum still knitted and played computer card games with Tendai every afternoon.

"Fond recollections at her funeral ranged from her delicious apple pies to the manic riding of her electric scooter in the High Street.

"Everyone who knew her will remember her as a caring, loving person with a wonderful sense of humour."