Iron lung record holder dies

A Melbourne woman who entered the Guinness World Book of Records for spending most of her life in an iron lung to treat polio, has died at the age of 83.

A spokeswoman at Yooralla Ventilator Accommodation Support Service (VASS) at Thornbury in Melbourne's north confirmed June Middleton died at the nursing home.

Ms Middleton, who was struck down with polio at 22, marked 60 years in the iron lung on April 5 this year and was remembered as an inspiration and a remarkable, strong lady.

She entered the Guinness World Book of Records in 2006 as the person who has spent the longest amount of time in an iron lung.

- AAP