HERBALIST Nellie Abbott has died, aged 79.

Mrs Abbott ran the physio-medicinal practice started by her late husband Charlie Abbott in Railway Road, Leigh.

Grandmother Mrs Abbott had lived in Astley until failing health resulted in her move earlier this year to her daughter Christine's home in Warwick.

Little Hulton native Mrs Abbott was a lifelong member of Cleggs Lane Methodist Church and she and her first husband, Bob Swindells, ran a newsagency.

He died in 1976 and a few months later Nellie and family friend Mr Abbott were married. But in 1983 Mr Abbott died, leaving her to continue the business.

She leaves a son and a daughter by her first marriage.

Mrs Abbott's family have made no decision yet on the future of the Railway Road business.

The funeral took place in Warwick.

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