A WELL-known businesswoman has died aged 70 after a six-month battle with cancer.

Emily Vagg ran Chatsworth Eggs, in Thorpe, with her husband Brian for more than 40 years before retiring in 2005.

Together they built up their business from just 300 chickens in August 1964 until they were supplyingmost of the local shops, restaurants and hotels as far afield as Colchester and Ipswich.

It was a second career for Emily, who left her native Ireland in 1955 aged 18 to train as a nurse.

She met her future husband, Brian, while working at Oldchurch Hospital, in Romford. Mr Vagg was recovering after sufferinginjuries in Cyprus during his spell of national service.

They were married two years later in Mrs Vagg's home town of Carrickmacross and together had three children, Michael, Jacquelynn and Andrew.

Mrs Vagg continued to nurse and run the farm, working at the Samuel Lewis Nursing Home, in Walton, until 1969.

She and her husband then expanded their businessbyadding a farm shop, which Mrs Vagg ran full-time.

They were also the recipients ofthe European Egg Marketing Award in 1973.

Mr and Mrs Vagg decided to sell their business in 2005 and moved to Laxton Grove, in Great Holland.

In her retirement, Emily became an active member of the Thorpe Bowls Club and enjoyed spending time with her five grandchildren, walking and holidaying with her husband.

Her son, Michael, said: "She was really enjoying her retirement - the cancer came too early for her, and for us.

"She had a very brave fight against her illness."

Daughter Jacquelynn added: "Mum was a very loving woman, very caring.

"Everyone keeps saying that she never thought of herself, she always considered others first. She was such a strong woman."

Mrs Vagg's funeral was on Monday at St Michael's Church, in Thorpe.