Anne Frank's helper Miep Gies dies aged 100

Mrs Gies, who delivered food to the family in the “secret annexe”, was honoured by Israel, Holland and Germany, including the highest German honour, the Federal Cross of Merit, First Class. She even had an asteroid named in her honour earlier last year.

Speaking on her 100th birthday last year, Mrs Gies said she had not expected to receive so many accolades. She said: "This is very unfair. So many others have done the same or even far more dangerous work.”

When she accompanied the director of the film, The Diary of Anne Frank, to Hollywood to accept an Oscar, she noted gently that Anne had always wanted to be famous. Instead, she said, she was standing in for her.

Mrs Gies died after a short illness at a nursing home in north Holland.