THE grand old lady of Barrow market retired at the age of 86 in 1994 after selling dolls to generations of children.

Winnie Luff — also known as Auntie Winnie — of Abbey Road, Barrow, had been a toy trader for 36 years.

The Mail, on January 8, noted that she had started business from a shop on Devon Street in 1952 and moved into the market — then close to Barrow Town Hall — in 1957.

Mrs Luff made all the clothes for her dolls.

It noted: “She has sold hundreds of satin and lace-clad dolls to three generations of customers and sent them all over the world wrapped in egg cartons.”