A LOYAL dog which kept a 10-day vigil at the side of its owner after she suddenly died is settling into a new home in Atherton.

Lizzie, a border collie cross, refused to leave the side of Lucille Mary McMillan who died in an armchair at her house.

It is believed 51-year-old Miss McMillan, known as Lucy, had died at least 10 days before she was discovered after suffering from a flu-type virus over the Christmas period.

She was found dead last Friday in her home in Union Road, Tonge Moor, Bolton.

A post mortem examination revealed she died of natural causes.

Police believe her dog survived by eating scraps of food in the house and by finding water to drink.

The dog has now been taken in by two friends of Miss McMillan -- Anne Monks and her mother Elizabeth Palmer who live at Old Hall Mill Farm, Atherton.

Lizzie will get all the care and attention she needs as she comes to terms with the loss of her owner.

She will also have the farm's two dogs, Toby and Taz, for company.

Miss McMillan helped out with grooming at a riding school based at the farm and visited it every week.

She moved to Bolton from Leigh in 2001, following the death of her mother.

In 2002, she started voluntering at the Manchester Science Museum, where she helped with the restoration of steam engines.

Miss McMillan was also a regular at a church in Salford. Her body was found last Friday after a lay preacher and his wife visited her home and discovered her slumped in a chair.

Mrs Monks did not hestitate in giving Lizzie a new home and she paid tribute to her friend. She said: "She loved her dogs and she had had Lizzie since she was a puppy.

"Lucy was also a talented horsewoman and loved her horses.

"She had a natural way with animals and was very caring towards them.

"Lucy was very much part of the family. She was a very independent woman and valued this greatly.

"She loved to travel on the buses and was a well known face on many routes.

"She also loved to go walking and spent much time at Rivington where she enjoyed the scenery.

"She was the sort of person who would help anyone and it is sad that her life was to end in this way, alone, when there was so many people who would have gladly helped her.

"It was a great shock to learn of her death. Lucy will be sadly missed by all who knew her."

She leaves a brother, Robert.