THE funeral of Mary Day from Cirencester who died in a house fire just after Christmas last year will be held today at 2pm.

Mary Day, 84, was believed to have died from smoke inhalation when a fire broke out in the living room of her home in Purley Road, Cirencester in December last year.

The former French teacher had no living family but people in the town paid tribute to her after her death, as she was a familiar face to many in Cirencester.

She visited French restaurant Le Beaujolais five days a week for a three-course lunch for four years and became close to the owner Kiean Glynn. He called her "lovely" and said: "All the guests knew her. She was a mini celebrity in her own right."

Miss Day was also fond of attending services at the Parish Church and was a regular customer at Limes hair salon for more than 10 years, visiting every fortnight.

Hairdresser Liz Blackwell, who styled Miss Day’s hair, said she was a sweet and lovely woman.

“She kept herself to herself,” said Liz. “She was a gentle, easy-going lady to have in the salon.”

Born and bred in Cirencester Miss Day taught at London school Haberdashers Aske’s for more than 30 years.

The school is organising the funeral through A. Slade and Son in Dyer Street. It will be held today (Monday, April 13) at 2pm at the Parish Church in Cirencester, followed by a cremation in Cheltenham.