ONE hundred years young! That's Mrs Ada Walker who was the centre of attention at her centenary party at the Bankfield Residential Home in Bury.

And apart from receiving a 100th birthday greeting from the Queen, family and friends, together with fellow residents and staff at the Gigg Lane home, toasted her special day.

Mrs Walker was an only daughter and had three brothers. She was born in Manchester and her father was killed in the First World War. He had been a soldier with the Manchester Regiment.

Her mother died two years later, leaving Mrs Walker to bring up her three brothers. For many years she lived in Higher Broughton and worked as a shirt maker. She met her husband, Stanley, when she was aged 28 and the couple married. They settled in Frodsham, Cheshire, and subsequently moved to Bacup.

The couple then went to live in Laburnum Grove in Prestwich when Mr Walker retired in 1965. Their main interests were dancing and caravanning. Mrs Walker did a lot of charity work and was a member of the WRVS, delivering meals on wheels for many years.

After her husband died in 1982, Mrs Walker's niece Mrs Lily Hesling, who lives in Whitefield, cared for her. Mrs Walker, who is her niece's Godmother, moved to Bankfield five and a half years ago.

At her 100th birthday bash, musical entertainment was provided and guests enjoyed a celebratory cake made for the grand occasion.