A generous widow has left behind an estate totalling more than £2.5 million and much of it is going to organisations in Colchester.

Nina Rose Markham, widow of respected Colchester businessman Hugh Markham, who owned a pawnbroker's shop in Colchester, died at a nursing home near Norwich on December 11, 2002. She was 81.

She left behind an estate valued at £2,589,660.

This amount has been generously split with many of Colchester's organisations and groups.

Colchester Royal Grammar School has been told it will receive up to £10,000.

Mrs Markham was a neighbour and good friend of the school. Her late husband was a former chairman of governors at the school and a former president of the Old Colcestrian Society.

Mrs Markham continued to attend Old Colcestrian's day and speech day at the school after her husband's death in 1993.

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution has also received news of a large amount.

A spokesman said: "She obviously thought we were a worthy charity and the money will be spent on new equipment and lifeboats."

Published Friday December 19, 2003

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