Bingo queen Kay Newton, who ran the biggest bingo empire in the Cleethorpes area, died aged 83, on November 25, 2009.

She also ran a boutique and was married to former trawler skipper and nightclub boss, the late Bunny Newton.

She had fought a long battle against illness and died at home in Scartho.

Generations of bingo fans will have fond memories of her running a boutique at The Clifton Bingo Hall on Grant Street, Cleethorpes.

She was also renowned for her enthusiasm for horse racing and she owned a number of successful horses.

Among them were En Attendant, which twice won The Bunbury Cup at Newmarket. Pottersville and Solid Silver were also highly successful at Catterick and on circuits around the country.

Her entrepreneurial spirit and astute business sense led to a prosperous lifestyle and she was fond of cruising.

It was a world away from her start in life as an orphan cared for at the Brighowgate orphanage, Grimsby.

She was later adopted by Elizabeth Reed, of Barcroft Street, Cleethorpes and she had a stepbrother Charles Reed, who served as a submariner in the Second World War.

Her son Stephen said: "It is the end of an era. She lived life to the full and was fiercely independent.

"She helped dad throughout his life. She was a pivotal part of his business empire, from launderettes to nightclubs."

Mrs Newton was survived by her two sons, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.