AS if reaching the grand old age of 104 isn't enough, Ethel Worby is already looking forward to celebrating her next birthday!

Despite her age, Ethel still dresses herself each morning and walks around the grounds of Walshaw Hall residential home in Bradshaw Road, Tottington, with her walking frame. And she still retains a fierce independent streak which has endeared her to staff and fellow residents.

Ethel was the centre of attention at a birthday party held on Monday to mark her 104th. Nieces, great-nieces, friends and residents toasted her health and Ethel enjoyed a glass of champagne and some birthday cake.

She has lived in the Tottington and Harwood areas for most of her life and puts her longevity down to "country air" and "independence". Ethel was the youngest of six children, born to Thomas and Mavis Hopkinson. The family were good friends of the cotton mill-owning Kenyon family who lived in Walshaw Hall.

At the age of 23, she married Bert, an engineer, who died 44 years ago. The couple had no children. Ethel became a resident of Walshaw Hall in 1996.

Residential home manager, Mrs Marilyn Bates said: "Ethel is still very independent. She still dresses herself every morning and walks around the grounds. And she adds her voice when she attends residents' meetings.

"She is a very nice lady and still has all her faculties. She's already looking forward to her next birthday and is a very good advocate for the home."