A Workington woman who has just turned 100 has thanked family for her longevity.

Nancy Weston, who celebrated the milestone birthday on January 9, said she is: “a very lucky woman’’ as she: “had the best parents in the world” and “has a wonderful family”.

She was "absolutely delighted" with her telegram from the Queen and said: "Never did I think I would reach this age and it's all thanks to my family."

Maud Wilson, registered manager of The Fairways, Workington, where Nancy lives, said that despite having a lockdown birthday Nancy has been overwhelmed by the gifts cards and flowers that she has received.

She was also very emotional when staff played a DVD of memory lane that her granddaughter Susan had compiled.

She added: "It was lovely for Nancy to reminisce, we could see that this meant so much to her, she was able to tell us where all the photos were from and spoke so proudly of her family."

Maud added that the phone didn't stop all day with wellwishers, including her grandchildren in Canada that had planned to come to the UK to celebrate with her until the restrictions took over their plans. Florists were also kept busy that day, with several deliveries to Nancy.

Maud said: "Nancy is a loving caring lady with a big heart and is a huge part of our family here at Fairways .We plan to celebrate a party for Nancy properly when she can have her family and friends present."

Born in 1921, Nancy had five siblings. She met the love of her life - Harrison when she was just 15 at a Boxing Day ‘Tanner Hop’ at Great Clifton, dancing together to what became ‘their song’ - Cheek to Cheek. They married two years later in 1938 and subsequently had two daughters Margaret and Freda. Harrison served in World War Two and subsequently worked at Sellafield. Nancy worked at Millers Footwear, Cockermouth, for 26 years where she made some very dear friends one of whom (Iris) she is still in touch with today.

Nancy’s daughter Margaret emigrated to Canada and Freda lives at Arlecdon.

She has seven grandchildren, and 12 great grandchildren, she also has great great grandchildren in the both the UK and Canada.

An adventurous couple, Nancy and Harrison had some lovely holidays and travelled widely across Europe, in their younger days on a motor bike, and later with their Caravan. They also had many holidays in Canada.

Until the age of 98 Nancy lived independently in her home at Garfield Street Workington, helped by her daughter Freda, and Freda’s partner Ted.

Nancy loves a ‘run out in the car’ and is looking forward to more trips out with Freda and Ted around the beautiful Lake District that she loves, when the Covid situation allows.