MARGARET Barnes, who was known as Peggy, has died at Staverton House care home in Trowbridge on March 4, aged 88.

Mrs Barnes grew up in East Tytherton, near Chippenham, where her grandfather James Broomfield started the village bakery and her father Stanley started and ran the village shop.

After attending the Moravian School she then attended Cannings College in Chippenham, where she studied shorthand and typing.

Following her studies she started working at Trowbridge Town Hall, where she met her best friend Jean Barnes.

On Christmas Day 1942 she married Jean’s brother Frank and the two best friends became sisters-in-law.

Mr and Mrs Barnes were then separated for four years as Mr Barnes, a soldier, fought in the Second World War and Mrs Barnes worked for the Auxiliary Territorial Service as a secretary for Lord Montgomery.

In 1947 the couple had a daughter, Diana, and in 1950 their son Michael joined the family. Later in life Mrs Barnes worked as a housing officer for Chippenham Rural District Council for around 30 years.

Mrs Barnes was a keen member of the Chippenham Twinning Association and also of the Chippenham Retirement Association.

She also worked as a volunteer helper for the Chippenham Tourist Board after retiring.

She also leaves four grandchildren, Claire, 38, Louise, 36, Ben, 31 and Sarah, 29, as well as great-grandchildren Charlotte, 14, Edward, eight, and Ella, six.

Her funeral was due to take place today at 9.30am at the West Wiltshire Crematorium in Semington.

Her family have asked for family flowers only, but donations in her memory can be made to the Alzheimer’s Society c/o FW Jones and Son, 30 Market Place, Chippenham, SN15 3HP.