OXFORD Brookes University has paid tribute to its oldest alumna Doris Simms who has died aged 99.

Mrs Simms studied economics and shorthand typing at what was then the Oxford School of Technology, Art and Commerce in 1935 when she was 16 years old.

Brookes Vice-Chancellor Professor Alistair Fitt said: “It was tremendously sad to hear the news that Doris Simms has passed away.

“I had the privilege of meeting her during our 150th anniversary celebrations and she was a remarkable individual who was intrinsically linked to the rich history of the university.

“Our thoughts are with Doris’ family and friends at this time.”

The university said that Mrs Simms played an important part in Oxford Brookes’ 150th anniversary celebrations in 2015 where she attended a performance of Educating Oxford, a play telling the origin story of the university.

The performance by Flintlock Theatre was held at the Taylor Institution, where the Oxford School of Art was first based.

At the event Mrs Simms was also reunited with a fellow alumna, Phyliss Timbs, who passed away earlier this year.

Speaking at the time, Mrs Simms said: “I was a pupil for a year at the college just after I left grammar school and before I got my first job.

“Technology, art and commerce were the three things that were necessary for people who had left school. Not many of us could go to college at that time and I loved it there. I grew up there.”

Mrs Simms' husband Jack Simms, was also an alumnus of the university. After meeting at a dance at the Oxford Town Hall, they married on Boxing Day 1942. He died in January 2017 aged 93.