A weekly newspaper is laying claim to one of the oldest paper ‘girls’ in Britain, who at 85-year-old is still delivering the title.

Jean Redmayne, left, delivers 133 copies each week of The Citizen, a free sister title to the Lancashire Telegraph, and first started delivering papers for Newsquest North West in 1993.

The 85-year-old has been described by the company as the oldest newspaper deliverer in East Lancashire, although it says Mrs Redmayne is three years younger than the publisher’s oldest distributor – an unnamed 88-year-old on the Wirral.

Earlier this year, The Sentinel in Staffordshire said it believed its 85-year-old paper girl Maud Thompson was the oldest in Britain and possibly the world.

She is four years older than the current Guinness World Record holder for the category of oldest female newspaper delivery person – named last year as Shropshire Star paper girl Joyce Pugh.

Mrs Redmayne, who lives in Darwen, told the Lancashire Telegraph that she enjoyed getting out of the house and meeting people during her delivery.

She said: “My husband, Allan, had died the year before so I wanted to get out and about. I enjoy it and get to meet some nice people.

“It gets me out of the house and it is better than sitting at home.”

Paul Berry, distribution manager for Newsquest, said: “Jean is an absolute credit to the company.

“No matter what the weather is doing, come rain, shine and even snow, Jean is still out delivering The Citizen to residents in Darwen and long may she continue.

“It is fantastic to have reliable staff such as Jean and, on behalf of everyone, well done and keep up the good work.”