Britain's oldest person has died in a care home in Chichester aged 110, having lived in the town for 96 years.

Jessie Nicholls, born on 25 January 1892, passed away peacefully last Wednesday at the Donnington House care home in the picturesque West Sussex town.

Mrs Nicholls, who is survived by great, great grandchildren, outlived her 82-year-old son, who died earlier this year.

She was given the title of Britain's oldest woman by Guinness World Records in March after they confirmed that they had not found anyone older.

She has seen the birth of aircraft, lived through two world wars, and seen man land on the moon

Eileen Childs Matron

Mrs Nicholls, who was nine when Queen Victoria died, was described as a "great lady" by staff.

Matron and manager Eileen Childs said: "She was 22 when World War I broke out and was an extremely pretty girl.

"She has seen the birth of aircraft and the modern car, lived through two world wars, seen man land on the moon and enjoyed sherry and jelly babies.

"She had deteriorated this year and had been bed-ridden for the last few months but she was comfortable and still aware and enjoyed her food to the last."

Guinness World Records are now establishing who is now the oldest Briton, and are asking for submissions from the public.

The oldest man in the country was Frederick Moore from New Milton, Hampshire, who died in April aged 109.

Guinness World Records believe the oldest woman to have ever lived in Britain was Charlotte Hughes, who died in 1993 aged 115 years and 229-days-old.

The worlds oldest known living person is Kamato Hongo of Japan, who celebrated her 115th birthday in September 2002.