AT the age of 95 years old Alice Shields has become an internet sensation after a video of her singing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" has been watched over 100,000 times.

Alice performed the song in response to the "chase the rainbow" campaign which is keeping children entertained during their once daily walks around their neighbourhoods during the covid-19 "lockdown".

Her rendition of the classic song was caught on camera by a carer at Lever Edge Care Home in Great Lever, where Alice lives and posted on to the Hill Care ­— which runs the home ­—Facebook page.

Alice said: " I’m always singing with residents. I like to see people join in. I love to sing with Dave (care home painter) as he’s got a really good voice."

She said: "My favourite songs are Over the Rainbow, It's now or never by Elvis Presley and Vera Lynn's the White Cliffs of Dover."

She added: "I started singing at a young age as my mum and dad did.

"My daughter Maxine is the best singer. She was trained in London."

Rainbows have started appearing in windows throughout Bolton to make children's outdoor exercise with their families a little more interesting and enjoyable, after a social media post suggesting the decorations went viral.

Alice said: "I love rainbows ­—they make you smile."

She added: "I love to sing. It makes me happy if ever I’m feeling down in the dumps. If I sing it makes me feel happy again.

"I didn’t realise my singing would get all this attention but if I am now famous that’s really good."

Over the Rainbow was written for the 1939 film The Wizard of Oz and was sung by actress Judy Garland in her starring role as Dorothy Gale. It won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and became Garland's signature song.

n To watch the video of Alice singing Over the Rainbow visit www.theboltonnews.co.uk