A GREAT-GRANDMOTHER has celebrated her 104th birthday surrounded by generations of family.

Florence Stansfield marked the special date with a small birthday gathering with friends and family as well as staff at Bank House care home, in Brandlesholme.

Her daughter, 79-year-old June Chadwick, said: "We had a wonderful day celebrating her birthday, she said it was the best she’s had yet.

“We brought in a cake, and the home made her a cake too and there were lots of balloons.

“She was spoilt with lots of lovely presents, she definitely enjoyed it.”

Mrs Stansfield, who was brought up in Olive Street, Bury, and attended St Stephen's Primary School.

She worked as a paper sorter at a paper mill in Tottington Road, which has since been knocked down, and also worked at the East Lancashire Paper Mill site in Radcliffe.

Mrs Stansfield married her husband Thomas when she was aged 21, and they enjoyed a long and happy marriage before Mr Stansfield died, shortly before the couple's 40th wedding anniversary.

With one of her main passions being dancing, the couple frequently attended Elton Liberal Club for dances.

Even after her husband died, Mrs Stansfield followed her love and used to attend clubs for dance sessions.

In addition, the couple enjoyed going on holiday, with Blackpool, the Isle of Man and Switzerland among their favourite destinations.

Mrs Stansfield lived in Spencer Street, Elton, until the age of 100, and only moved into the care home after her daughters found it more difficult to look after her because of their own illnesses.

She keeps herself busy at the care home by enjoying games of bingo and knitting.

She has daughters Susan and June, as well as Betty, who died in 2011. In addition, she has six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.