Ananova:

A County Durham farmer's wife reckons she has Britain's oldest fridge - a 77-year-old Electrolux.

The 4ft fridge, which she bought secondhand for £7.50 in 1969, has a manufacturer's stamp showing it was made in 1931, reports The Sun.

Maureen Mace, 60, of Esh, County Durham said: "I keep waiting for it to break down but it doesn't - it just goes on and on.

"They built things to last in those days. The seals had to be replaced once, but apart from that it hasn't given us any trouble.

"It's even got the same light bulb."

Maureen and hubby Alan, 61, who have two children and two grandchildren, use the cream-coloured fridge constantly.

She said: "I think it gets more than average use. I am in and out of it all day long. It feels part of the family. I'd hate to get rid of it and buy a new one.

"We're farmers and we're thrifty, so what's the point of spending money when this does the job? There's no point if this one is working perfectly well."