BIRTHDAY greetings were today expected to arrive from the other side of the world to mark the 102nd birthday of a great-grandma from Nelson.

Hilda Barrett has lived at the Marsden Grange Residential Home, in Barkerhouse Road, for seven years but has been a resident of the town all her life, previously in Napier Street and Halifax Road.

Presents and cards began arriving for her yesterday with the furthest greetings expected from Sydney, Australia, where her daughter Doreen and two grandchildren live.

Her son David, who lives in Hampshire, travelled up for the occasion and other family and friends were due to attend a party at the residential home today, her actual birthday.

A birthday cake was also delivered to the home which had been made by her daughter-in-law.

The Mayor and Mayoress of Pendle, Coun Pauline McCormick and her sister Gillian Carradice, were expected to be among the well-wishers.

Belinda Finch, manager of the home, said: "Hilda can tell all sorts of stories. She likes to chat and has a great sense of humour. She's very popular. We had a special birthday party for her when she was 100 but this year she said she didn't want a big buffet. She said she would just like a special tea of salmon so we have made her that."

Mrs Barrett and her late husband Harold were married at the former Railway Street Methodist chapel in 1929 and she spent her life bringing up their family while Mr Barrett, who died in 1982, worked as an engineer at the former Nelson power station. He was transferred to Hapton power station shortly before he retired.

Mrs Barrett has had a lifelong association with the Methodist church, singing in the choir at Railway Street before moving to Central Methodist Church when the chapel was demolished.