TRIBUTES have been paid to Annie ‘Angie’ Thompson, known as ‘The Queen of Patcham’.

Angie lived in the area for more than 50 years, and was a popular regular at the Ladies Mile Pub where locals have been remembering the 86-year-old.

Landlord Gayle Newman, who used to visit Angie and cook her meals, said: “Angie was a real character. She was well respected and very dignified.”

She was born Annie Connolly in Cork, Ireland, in 1929 and moved to Hove aged 16. Angie moved to Patcham shortly afterwards, where she worked in a factory and as a nanny.

She was happily married to husband Harry before being widowed in 1997.

She had always loved children and was a popular figure among successive generations of youngsters in Patcham.

Patcham resident Hollie Harrison said: “When we were kids playing in the park she used to let us into her front garden or into the house to use her toilet. She just loved having us children around.

“She was like a nan to us.”

Pubgoers described her as an unwaveringly generous person, who was always happy and readily chatted to anyone at the bar.

She was known to happily give local children money or donate for a good cause, such as the Ladies Mile’s Christmas grotto or family fun days.

She also dressed up as Queen Elizabeth for the Diamond Jubilee in 2012, and could be seen royally waving from the roof of the pub.

Angie was described as ‘the real character of the pub’, and was remembered to have often exclaimed “No toilet words!” should someone in the pub swear.

Mrs Thompson had her own specially lowered bar stool, and would never hesitate to tell others off for using it.

One tribute left on the pub noticeboard read: “A lady who never minced her words, who was kind and fun. She will be sorely missed.”

Donations for The Martlets Hospice may be sent care of Derriman & Haynes funeral directors.

Angie, who never had children, died on December 23.

Her funeral was held at the Downs Crematorium yesterday.