ONE OF BARRY'S bravest residents, who survived probably the most shocking attack ever seen in the town, has died at the age of 91.

Respected local Dilys Mair Lougher, known as Mair, passed away at College Fields Nursing Home on November 8.

Five years ago the former head teacher and her elderly neighbour, Enid Poole, became headline news when they were battered unconscious by a robber.

Bogus caller Leslie Salter,tricked his way into flats at a sheltered housing complex off St Nicholas Road.

Once inside the Rowan Court home of Mrs Poole, he kicked her punched her and stamped on her head and face. He then made his way to Miss Lougher's flat at Laurel Close.

He attacked her with a wooden weapon, breaking her jaw in several places and shattering her cheekbone. Finally, he dumped her unconscious in to the bath before fleeing with money, bank cards and personal possessions.

Miss Lougher, who lived alone, was discovered 17 hours later and spent months in hospital. Mrs Poole never really recovered from her injuries and died a broken woman two years later. Leslie Salter, who was caught after extensive police manhunt, is serving life for her murder.

Miss Lougher, however, made a full recovery, despite having to undergo major surgery to repair the damage to her face.

She even returned to the flat where the horrific assault took place, and continued to live a normal life until illness forced her into a nursing home.

The courageous local led an active life right up until her illness and was well-known in the town even before the attack.

Born on January 1, 1910 in Barry, she was educated in Holton Road and Barry Grammar Schools before graduating from Swansea University.

She taught in Berkeley, Gloucestershire, before moving to the newly-built Colcot Primary School as the first head teacher in 1952.

While there, Miss Lougher became the president of the NUT in Barry. She retired at the age of 65 but continued to lecture part-time at Barry College..

She was a member of the Business and Professional Women's Club, vice-president of Barry Townswomen's Guild and a member of the Barry Floral Art Club.

She was also a committee member of the Citizens' Advice Bureau and a committee member of the Save the Children Fund in Barry.