THE incredible story of an Russian aristocrat who lived in Beaconsfield after fleeing the Bolshevik Revolution in 1921 has featured on a BBC TV show.

The Heir Hunters programme discovered Alexandra Koshevnikova, who died three years ago without leaving a will, left her homeland after her father was killed and the Tsar overthrown.

She initially moved with her brother and mother to New York and lived in the luxurious Waldorf Astoria hotel for several months.

The family, who had seemingly spent much of their fortune made in the mining industry, later moved to Berlin before settling in a small flat in Holtspur Way in Beaconsfield in 1966.

Brother Vladimir taught Russian to British spies, while Alexandra, known as Sandra, worked as a secretary at the Defence School of Languages in Wilton Park.

Vladmir and mother Susanna died in the 1970s and Alexandra never married. Neighbours told the show she was a friendly woman but they knew nothing of her former wealth.

Neighbour Janet Smith said she would sometimes switch off her television to listen to Alexandra play her grand piano.

Alexandra never married and died in 2008 aged 100.

Heir Hunters, which aired on Friday morning, found Alexandra had left an estate of between £5,000 and £15,000.

The programme is available to watch on iplayer, see link below.