Farewell Doris: Black Country says goodbye to much-loved Tipton twin

Doris Hobday and twin sister Lilian Cox became celebrities as Britain’s oldest identical twins, stealing the hearts of the nation with their smiles and quick wit during appearances on TV and radio.

Doris died in January aged 96 after testing positive for coronavirus and her funeral took place in Tipton on Monday afternoon.

She was laid to rest with her husband Ray, who she lost 11 years ago after 65 years of marriage.

Her family chose a longer route for the funeral cortège so people could pay their respects to Doris despite Covid restrictions limiting attendance at the funeral.

Doris' beloved Asda in Great Bridge was part of the route and staff and shoppers lined up to clap and wave as the cortège passed by.

In a post on Facebook on Monday morning the family said: "Today is the day that Doris is going on her final journey around Tipton on the way to the church.

"Doris and her late husband Ray were the first to have a motorbike in the local area many years ago and they often had children running up to them in the streets to look at it.

"Ray drove it and got a side car for Doris they went on some lovely holidays in the UK on this bike.

"We would like to thank you all for your support over the past six weeks, we are very sad that Covid has stopped Doris reaching her 100th birthday, but we are also relieved that Lil is back to being her cheeky self after her own hard fight with Covid, all the support means so much to Lil and we hope the lovely people of Tipton will be able to clap/wave as Doris goes past today, she was a rare gem who will be forever cherished."

Doris's sister Lil was also rushed to hospital with Covid and spent two weeks on oxygen, steroids, vitamins and antibiotics. She was discharged from hospital on January 18 and has been recovering at home since.

The pair had enjoyed bingo and watching Fast and Furious together – mainly for Jason Statham, a picture of whom was packed in Doris's handbag ready for her final journey.

Other items in her handbag included whiskey and some money to play bingo.

"Doris always went everywhere with her handbag, she felt lost without it," the family explained.

"So we have packed her handbag ready for tomorrow and filled it with all her favourite things...so she’s now ready to have some fun in her other home up there.

"Lil made sure we remembered to put some whisky in her bag and her purse with some money in so she can play bingo.

"Doris has really missed her husband Ray over the past 12 years and found it difficult not having him by her side... so we know they will be having a big reunion tomorrow!"

A fundraising page for the Beacon Centre for the Blind, a charity close to Doris’s heart, has raised more than £6,000 in her memory.

The family said the charity helped Doris look after her husband, Ray, for more than 20 years when he lost his eyesight suddenly during their long marriage.

To donate, visit justgiving.com/fundraising/dorishobday