A RESIDENT at Abbeyfield in Leigh celebrated her 100th birthday at the weekend – a first for the care home.

Bessie Woodward celebrated what was a milestone birthday for both her and Abbeyfield at the care home on Saturday surrounded by her family and friends.

Born and bred in Leigh, Bessie used to work at Courtaulds’ silk mill in Bedford Square as a sizer, doing so throughout the Second World War.

A mother of-one, grandmother and great-grandmother, Bessie is not letting her age slow her down and has been described as one of the home’s ‘fittest residents’.

Jeanette France, manager at Abbeyfield, which has never had a 100th birthday to celebrate before, said: “Bessie has been with us since March.

“She is a lovely woman and extremely fit – she is one of our fittest residents.

“She is just a really nice, genuine woman and gets along with everyone.

“Her family are all very supportive and they come to see her every day.

“She is fantastically mobile and keeps herself and her mind active with puzzles, reading, bingo and dominoes.”