A lifelong bingo fan paid one last visit to her second home.

Friends said their farewells to Dolly Johnson as the 86-year-old's funeral cortege pulled up outside the Mecca bingo hall in Southend.

It was Dolly's dying wish - to say goodbye to the home of her greatest passion.

Dolly - known as Mama Mecca - who lived in Alp Court, Great Wakering, had played at the Greyhound Way club nearly every day since it opened in November 1992.

A huge bingo fan, her biggest win was £1,000, and she made firm friends with all the staff and many customers.

Before being buried in Great Wakering cemetery, her funeral cortege circled around the car park of the Mecca club.

As the cortege passed, the afternoon game stopped and many of her friends stood outside to pay their last respects.

Dolly died in Southend Hospital last Thursday of septicaemia. She had been ill for six weeks.

Goodbye - friends and Mecca staff say their final farewells to bingo barmy Dolly

Picture: STEPHEN LLOYD

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