BOX Office legend and ‘one in a million’ Peggy Barson has died aged 96 after working at Oxford’s New Theatre for more than 70 years.

Staff at the George Street theatre and friends have paid tribute to the great-grandmother, and this week flowers have been laid on the theatre bar that carries her name.

Mrs Barson, who lived in Radley, joined the theatre aged 19 in 1940 and the curtain finally came down on her career in the box office in 2011.

She was awarded an MBE in 2001 for services to the theatre.

Russell Souch, now the theatre’s communications manager - was friends with Mrs Barson and worked with her for a number of years.

He said: “Not only was she once a colleague who I worked on the Box Office for many years but she also became a loving, caring friend to me.

“Peggy’s legacy will continue to live on at the New Theatre and the many people who walk through these theatre doors will remember what a marvellous lady she truly was.

He added: “My heartfelt sympathy goes out to her family.”

In an interview with the Oxford Mail shortly before her retirement, Mrs Barson revealed country singer Daniel O’Donnell was her favourite performer over the years, but that she also enjoyed meeting the likes of Ken Dodd and Max Bygraves.

When she first joined, her job consisted of stamping tickets for hundreds of troops who were allowed into variety shows for free during the Second World War.

Over the next 70 years she saw thousands of performances come and go and adapted to new technology.

Her dedication was rewarded with an MBE in the New Year’s Honours list in 2001 where ‘workers at the sharp end’ were championed.

Loved by everyone who met her, the entire 151-strong cast of Fame sang Happy Birthday to her from the stage on her 90th birthday.

Her favourite performer Mr O’Donnell also sent a card and signed picture.

On retiring just before her 91st birthday, she said she didn’t want to learn another computer system, having got to grips with five different ones over the years.

Staff and former colleagues held a surprise party and one of the bars in the theatre, on the first floor, was then named The Peggy Barson Bar.

The New Theatre’s general manager, Dean Stewart, said she would be missed by everyone who worked with her over the years.

He said: “The New Theatre is a family, and Peggy was very much at the heart of it for more than 70 years.

“She joined the theatre in 1940, and was a familiar face on our box office until her retirement in 2011.

“She was one in a million and will be missed by all of those who worked with her here at the theatre.”

He added: “Our thoughts are with her family and friends at this time.”

She was married to her husband George, after they met at St Giles Fair in 1938, for more than 50 years until he died 20 years ago.

She had three children, Derek and Christine, and Maurice, who died aged 50, seven grandchildren as well as a number of great-grandchildren.

She died peacefully at Abingdon Community Hospital on April 30. Her funeral will take place at Oxford Crematorium on Monday, May 22, at 11am, all are welcome.