SHE is the woman who was immortalised in bronze outside her local library.

Now Doris Winteridge – the model for the statue at Bitterne’s Cobbet Road Library – has died aged 98.

Dot was one of the first users of library on its opening in May 1939 and was one its longest standing supporters.

Initially Dot had been quite reluctant to put her name down as a possible model for the statue, but was urged on by her friend Georgie Webb, librarian-in-charge at Cobbett Road at the time.

Georgie thought Dot was the ideal candidate as she was tall enough to be an effective figure and also an excellent representative of library users, having been a regular there for more than 50 years.

Dot was born on November 1, 1919 and lived on Macnaghten Road until she married in 1943.

After marrying Stan the couple moved into a house in Bitterne Road where they spent the rest of their lives.

Dot and Stan were both great sailors and had a boat on the River Hamble.

She was also a talented painter, who sold many pictures, and ran the ‘Bitterne Library Art Group.’

Dot’s niece, Sally Ashton said: "I was very close to her, she was my only relation from my childhood and I will miss her very much.

"Over the last four years I have become very close to her and I’m happy she slipped away so peacefully."

The funeral service will take place on Wednesday, May 23 at West Wing Southampton Crematorium.