It's the big 101 for Blackpool great gran Edith

Edith Wilkinson will celebrate the milestone in a more of a lower key way this time, compared to last year, when she enjoyed a party at Marton Institute to mark her 100th birthday and even visited Blackpool night sport Funny Girls.

The Covid pandemic has put paid to that kind of thing this year, but she will celebrate the occasion with family.

Granddaughter Sharon Sanderson-Roberts, 49, of Hawes Side Lane, Marton, said: "Nana is looking forward to it.

"She still likes to get out when she can and she loves to make a fuss of us all."

Sharon set up a campaign on Facebook asking people to send cards and they have come in from all over Britain and even America and Australia.

A similar campaign last year brought in hundreds of cards.

Edith worked on Wellington bombers during the Second World War and has stayed very active in the community over the years.

She has a daughter Jean Sanderson, 73, granddaughter Sharon Sanderson Roberts and 28-year-old great granddaughter Lauren Sanderson Roberts-Vause.

Edith married Ronald Suthers in 1942, but went on to divorce and marry Jerry Wilkinson, who passed away in 1983. During the war she made wing tips for bombers, before having a market garden on Pedder’s Lane.

When she can, Edith, who lives with daughter Jean, likes to visit Warren Manor Day Centre in Anchorsholme and before the pandemic she went to Marton Methodist Church on a regular basis.