A spirited woman who raced motorbikes and roller-skated into her 70s has died of lung cancer.

Family and friends paid tribute to Jose Curtis, who was diagnosed with the illness last summer and given just four months to live but in her usual style she defied expectations and battled on for seven.

The 72-year-old was married to Ron for more than 55 years, after the pair eloped to Gretna Green in 1959 when she was just 17, and he was 20.

They lived a fast-paced life, Mr Curtis was a mechanic, and Mrs Curtis worked in the Metal Box factory in Strood - but together the pair also rode and raced motorbikes.

Mr Curtis said: “She was one of the top women riders of her day, bringing home a lot a medals and trophies over the years.”

She also loved music, and has two pianos in the house she used to play.

Five years ago the pair, who lived at Hoo Marina Park, took up roller skating at the Medway Roller Dance Club.

They just went to have a go at first but soon got more involved and ended up making friends and taking the grading tests. Mr Curtis even went on to coach and still attends the club, even without the love of his life beside him.

The pair have two children and two grandchildren and Mr Curtis, 75, said: “Jose was a very friendly person, and very loved.

“She would do everything she could to help people, nothing was ever too much.

“She was a wonderful wife and a very good mother. She made me happy during our lives together and I miss her very much.”

Last week the club held a competition at Medway Park which saw 32 members compete against each other and a new trophy was commissioned and dedicated to Jose.

Dawn Busby organises the fundraising events for the club and said: “Jose was always up for a joke. She was a real people person and would give anything a go.”

The pair were the oldest members but all the girls at the club adored them and Dawn said they became like a family.