But life was once different for a homeless woman who has died in Leamington.

Sue Timms spent 18 months living on the streets and sleeping in the entrance of Boots in Warwick Street, but times were not always so tough.

Mrs Timms, who was in her early 50s, used to live in the town with her husband and dress smartly for her job as a factory supervisor.

Police community support officer Wendy Burrows worked closely with Mrs Timms until her death in May.

She said: "Before she was on the streets, Sue was married and had a good job as a supervisor in a factory.

"She was very well dressed and houseproud but things started to go downhill when her husband died and she was made redundant at around the same time.

She said: "Sue was very kind and always cared, no matter what situation she was in. She always cared about others."

On November 30 last year, Mrs Timms suffered 70 per cent burns to her body after the duvet she was sleeping under caught fire.

Mrs Timms did not have any children of her own but after leaving Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham, she moved to a flat in south Leamington and was reunited with relatives. Friends and family remembered her life at a private funeral in Leamington.

Following her injuries last year, police believed Mrs Timms had been attacked and appealed for witnesses before deciding the fire may have been an accident.

Pcso Burrows added: "CCTV did not cover the area so it is one of those things we will never know. Sue told me she did not remember anything about the incident except waking up on fire.

"She did not die as a result of her burns, she had other health problems but she was warm and cosy and had her family around her."

Andi Conway-Horbury met Mrs Timms while working to help homeless people in Leamington.

He said: "She was Timms by name and timid by nature.

"Nobody knew very much about her as she was a private person. She was very well spoken and not malicious in any way.

"I think it would have been very difficult for someone like her to adjust to living inside again."