AT just 17 years old, Johannah Ball is still officially too young to have a glass of champagne to celebrate her birthday.

But in reality the grandmother, from Darcy Lever, is one of those few lucky people who really can claim to be years younger than they are — for she was born on February 29, 1944, with her actual birthday only falling once every four years.

Mrs Ball normally blows out her birthday candles on March 1.

She said: “I’m saving myself for my 18th birthday.

“I’m only 17, I can’t even have a drink yet.”

Mrs Ball will celebrate her birthday with her husband, Jack, and members of her family who live locally at the weekend.

She said: “I feel 17 more than I do 68 years old.

“I actually only found out my birthday fell on February 29 when I was 21 and needed my birth certificate.

“My mother thought I had been born just after midnight on March 1, but it was just before.”

Mrs Ball has two daughters as well as two stepdaughters and a step-son, along with nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

She said: “It is a bit of fun having your birthday on February 29, and I can say I am 17 years old.

“It confuses my six-yearold grandson Danny, who can’t understand why his mum is older than me, because I am 17.

“I worked at the Alma Pub, when I was 40, and everyone laughed and said I was underage because I was only 10 years old.”

Mrs Ball has joked she will have a big celebration for her 18th birthday — in four years time.