A former Harwell laboratory assistant, who has died at the age of 89, enjoyed a considerable reputation for her cake baking and decorating skills.

Elsie 'Dot' Butler was born and grew up at East Ilsley before moving to Newbury after she married her late husband, Ted, a motor mechanic at Harwell Laboratory.

The couple moved to Didcot about 50 years ago and lived in Abbott Road.

Mrs Butler was a laboratory assistant at Harwell before she retired. She also worked for a time at the former Smallbone tobacconist and confectioners in Broadway, Didcot.

She moved to Barnes Close, Didcot, following the death of her husband, before moving to a residential home in Staffordshire a year ago, to be near her daughter, Jane Rogers.

Mrs Butler was a member of the Harwell and Culham Retirement Fellowship.

For many years her skills at cake-baking and icing were much in demand for wedding and birthday cakes.

She died in Burton upon Trent, Staffordshire. She leaves a daughter and four grandchildren. Her funeral was being held at Bretby Crematorium, near Burton, today, (November 26).