A farmer's wife from County Durham is claiming to be in the possession of a 77-year-old Electrolux that is widely believed to be the oldest functioning refrigerator in existence in Britain.

Maureen Mace, 60, of Esh, County Durham said she bought the secondhand 4-foot fridge for $14 in 1969, although it has a manufacturer's stamp stating it was made in 1931.

"I keep waiting for it to break down but it doesn't - it just goes on and on," said Mace. "They built things to last in those days. The seals had to be replaced once, but apart from that it hasn't given us any trouble."

"It's even got the same light bulb," she added.

"I think it gets more than average use. I am in and out of it all day long. It feels part of the family. I'd hate to get rid of it and buy a new one," Mace, who now has two grandchildren said.

"We're farmers and we're thrifty, so what's the point of spending money when this does the job? There's no point if this one is working perfectly well."