A CENTENARIAN who celebrated her birthday earlier this year is looking forward to her 101st new year.

Florence Wadsworth, of Bury Road, Tonge Fold, received 100 cards for her birthday on September 1, including one from the Queen and another from Iain Duncan Smith, the Secretary of State for the Department for Work and Pensions.

Mrs Wadsworth, who in her younger years was a tailoress, moved to Bolton from Walsall in 1934 after marrying Boltonian Frank Wadsworth.

She opened a baby linen shop during the 1950s.

Her husband Frank died in 1985, but Mrs Wadsworth has a son, Roy, and two grandchildren, who help her.

Mrs Wadsworth spent Christmas with grandson Anthony, aged 52, at his home in Templecombe Drive and attended St Stephen and All Martyrs’ Church’s Christmas service.

She said: “It was great to have all the family together and see everyone having a good time — families are what make Christmas.

“There’s many a time where you can’t see them, so it makes Christmas all the more special.

“The great thing about Christmas is the kind gestures people make — whatever presents they give you, you feel nice about it.”

Mrs Wadsworth’s earliest memories of Christmas include one unfortunate moment as a child, when she was bought a doll.

She said: “I was never a girl who wanted a baby doll. So my parents bought me one for Christmas when I was about five or six. I took one look at it and I threw it away.”

Mrs Wadsworth has put her longevity down to a vibrant social life — she attends the social club in Meadowside Avenue twice a week with friends.

She said: “I go out nearly every day — it’s the best way to keep going. Staying in the house is wrong. I hope I never have to do it.”

Son Roy, of Loen Crescent, Smithills, paid tribute to his mother’s resilience in the wake of her special milestone.

He said: “It’s a fantastic achievement for my mother to have her 101st Christmas, especially to be as active as she is at her age.”