ONE of Leigh's oldest residents celebrates her 104th birthday today (Thursday).

Former teacher Ethel Hunsworth is still amazing staff at the High Peak Lodge Nursing Home with her stories and memories.

A staff member said: "She's as sprightly as ever."

Born in 1899 Ethel grew up in Leigh Road with brother Fred and sister Doris.

She qualified from Manchester University in 1921 and became a French and Latin teacher serving for 31 years at an Isle of Man boarding school before returning to the house in which she grew up.

She remained there until she changed her address to the Bedford home at the aged of 98!

Ethel's passion has always been reading and though she is now partially sighted and hard of hearing she still manages to enjoy her favourite humorous books on cassette and entertains residents and staff with her sense of humour and poetry recitals.