Irene Olive Mary Royse (née Stretton) (27 September 1921 – 12 November 2018) was a British athlete, who specialised in the sprint disciplines and was selected for the 1948 Summer Olympics and was two-times British champion.

[2] Stretton born in Aston, Birmingham, first came to prominence in 1937 after winning the National Schools championship over 100 yards, where she represented Palatine School of Blackpool.

[3] She joined the Bolton United Harriers and Athletic Club and won the 1939 Northern Counties Women's Amateur Athletic Association Championship.

[4] Stretton married in 1941 and became Irene Royse and won two consecutive 60 metres titles at the prestigious WAAA Championships.

The following year she won her first AAA title at the 1946 WAAA Championships over the 60 metres.