A much-loved cleaner has returned home from hospital a week after falling and breaking her hip.

Marjorie Rose, 96, tripped over some cones on her way to work at The Mall Maidstone on Monday, December 2, and was rushed into surgery to have her hip joint replaced.

The great-grandmother is Britain's oldest cleaner and has become a popular face in the County Town after working at the shopping centre for more than 30 years.

While walking her usual route to work along Mill Street she fell over some cones left behind a wall next to the Carriage Museum.

A passerby rang for an ambulance and waited with her until paramedics came and took her to Tunbridge Wells Hospital for treatment.

She was discharged yesterday evening and her daughter, Tina Sergeant, is staying with her for a week while she gets used to being at home.

While she recovers, she has to use a zimmer frame to walk.

Her grandson, David Gregory, said she won't be able to go back to work until her legs are strong enough, which could be as late as January.

The 37-year-old, from Strood, said: "She shouldn’t be going but she is strong willed. She loves going and meeting everybody. It keeps her going.

"Loads of people call her 'nan' - staff and members of the public.”

He said his grandmother had a cataracts operation a month ago and returned to work after a week as she couldn’t bear to be away for too long.

“She is hard as nails,” he said. “I think that is why she has lasted this long.”

The cones had been left by highways workers resurfacing the A229 - work which is due to finish on December 21.

A Kent County Council spokesman said: “We are very concerned to hear what has happened to Mrs Rose and we wish her a full and swift recovery.

“The high visibility cones are being used whilst overnight resurfacing works take place in the area.

"During the day these are stored on the Carriage Museum property, in an area not intended for pedestrian use.”

To celebrate Marj's 96th birthday, staff at the shopping centre threw her a party to show their appreciation for her.

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