A WOMAN has launched a group that encourages widowers to become more social instead of "grieving alone at home".

Marion Brereton, 72, set up Jolly Dollies in Locks Heath, Fareham, as part of a national organisation that runs social events for widowers so they can make new friends.

As a widow of almost four years, she wanted to share her experience of losing her 76-year-old husband Don, who suddenly died while driving after taking her to the airport.

Marion, a retired estate agent from Fareham, has since said that being widowed is a "dreadful shock" and has projected her loss into starting up the local group.

She said: "I was widowed at 68 after being married to Don for 50 years.

"Don got my case out of the boot and kissed me goodbye, he said his chest was hurting but said not to worry and told me he was fine.

"When I landed at Palma, I was ushered into the cockpit where the poor captain told me he had some bad news for me. Don had simply died whilst driving, the car was wrecked, and no other cars were involved on a quiet road."

Marion then started up a local Jolly Dollies group in Devon, where she lived, but moved back to her Fareham hometown a few years, where she grew up as a child.

She added: "After 3 years on my own, my sister, nephews and nieces wanted me to return to my roots and I rather reluctantly sold my bungalow and moved back to Locks Heath in July. I really missed my wonderful Jolly Dolly friends, so I contacted their headquarters and said I was starting a group here.

"We all have sad tales of being widowed and we all bond and enjoy getting together, enjoying friendly chats, making suggestions, arranging trips out, monthly Sunday pub lunches, etc. Being widowed is a dreadful shock, suddenly being on your own, finances, paperwork, etc, to sort out.

"It doesn't matter if you've been widowed a week or 20 years ago. No one understands how it feels until been widowed themselves."

The group meet every Wednesday at 12pm, at Strawberry Fields Tavern, Locks Heath Centre.

It costs £10 a year to join and more information can be found at thejollydollies.co.uk.