A LIFELONG member of Keighley Salvation Army has died.

Rita Longden, who was 89, was an active supporter of the church's projects.

Latterly she was involved in selling the charity's newspapers, the War Cry and Salvationist.

She followed both her father, Clifford, and grandfather into the Keighley corps.

Her granddad had been among the first people to attend and became a 'soldier' in the church in 1881.

Mrs Longden could remember, as a six-year-old, celebrating the golden jubilee of the town's corps in 1931.

This week her cousin, Freda Tomlinson, of Riddlesden, said: "She loved the Salvation Army – it was a huge part of her life.

"She was still actively volunteering until recently."

And tribute was paid by the corps.

Rose Marie Longstaff, who works in the office at the High Street church and is a member, had known Mrs Longden for 20 years.

"She was very meticulous and had great faith," she said.

"She was a real Christian lady."

Widow Mrs Longden, who lived at Hanover Court, Utley, worked for about 25 years in the offices of Eastburn engineering firm Landis Lund and then at a Keighley insurance company.

Her husband, Jack, died several years ago.

The funeral takes place at Oakworth Crematorium on Tuesday (Feb 3), 2.30pm, and will be followed by a memorial service at Keighley Salvation Army at 3pm.