'˜It's one big party with 90 in our family!'

The Wrigley children – all nine of them – were pictured in the pages of a 1961 paper, painting a picture of perfect, if not rather crowded family life.

From those nine youngsters has sprung a huge family of more than 90 who, for no other reason than it seemed a good idea, took the opportunity to enjoy one big party together.

The grand get together, attended by more than 90 of the Wrigley clan, was the brainchild of Blackpool cafe boss Simon Wrigley.

Simon, who runs the Number Five cafe bar in Cedar Square, couldn’t resist getting the party started – working alongside other family members, including cousin Darren Robertson to make it happen.

“We do occasionally meet up as a family,” he explained.

“But it tends to be for weddings and funerals.

“We thought, why not just have a get together as a family – one big party, with no other reason than all meeting up.

“I’m a member at Blackpool Cricket Club and they said we could have a marquee so we made it happen.”

The event proved a fantastic opportunities for generations to meet and mingle with young and old coming together.

“We had people coming from all over the county,” said Simon.

“There’s always one or two who can’t make it but the turnout was amazing.

“It was lovely to see the youngest family member there being held in the arms of the eldest.

“And every one of us is related to those nine children.”

Among those who met were 68-year-old Margaret Robertson and 10-month old Keira Clements.

And of course, the original nine – Margaret, Billy, Alan, Teddy, Peter, Kathryn, Judith, Janice and Robert – were there for the party.

And, having been pictured at their family home in Poplar Avenue, Kirkham back in 1961 they were more than happy to be snapped again.

“Everybody had a fantastic time,” said Simon.

“We’ll have to remember not to leave it so long again.”