Popular Doncaster "get a paper" newspaper street seller Josie dies

Josie Williams (left) is presented with gifts on her 60th birthday.

A popular Doncaster street newspaper vendor well known to thousands of shoppers has died.

Josephine Williams was a familar face outside the House of Fraser store in Baxter Gate for many years, where she sold copies of the Doncaster Star and Doncaster Free Press, urging shoppers to "get a paper" with her bellowing cries.

Josephine, better known as Josie The Newspaper Lady, died earlier this month at the of 73.

The former Skellow woman would stand in the street selling her newspapers in all weathers and was instantly recognisible to many with her distinctive sale pitch and patter which could be heard six days a week.

An obituary said Mrs Williams died suddenly on May 11 in hospital.

She was described as: "The beloved sister of Jean, the dear sister in law of Ernest, a dearly loved auntie and great auntie" who would be "sadly missed by all her family and friends."

Her funeral service will take place on May 31 at 2.20pm at Rose Hill Crematorium.