A woman, believed to be the oldest in Lancashire, has died just weeks after celebrating her 108th birthday.

Preston-born Martha Jean Garstang, known as Jean, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, December 20 at Arrowsmith Lodge care home.

This is after celebrating her birthday just weeks ago, on November 23.

Lancashire Telegraph: Jean (right) with her sister Mary (left)Jean (right) with her sister Mary (left) (Image: LCC)

Her granddaughter, Sarah Victoria Sopa, said she will be missed by many.

She said: “If you didn’t know my nanna  you probably know of her.

“It was her 108th birthday in November and she hit the headlines as she was said to be the oldest woman in Lancashire.

“Sadly this was to be her last birthday. She was such an independent woman all her life, only needing residential care at the age of 106.

“She was so loved by so many people, for so long and we will miss her dearly.

“Massive thanks to all the wonderful staff at her care home, who have cared for her with such kindness and dignity.

“I hope they are ready for her up there. She will have them all dancing and telling them stories.

Lancashire Telegraph: Jean with daughters Christine (left) and Pam (right) Jean with daughters Christine (left) and Pam (right) (Image: LCC)

“In the beautiful words of my nephew Alfie, no one has meant so much to so many people for so long.

“She will live on forever through our stories and memories of her.

“When we have wiped away our tears, we will most definitely celebrate her life, we are so proud of her.”

The mum of four, who grew up on Norris Street in Preston, has four children - Jean, Christine, Jack and Pam - ten grandchildren,  19 great-grandchildren and even two great-great-grandchildren.

She lived through two World Wars, five monarchs, more than 20 Prime Ministers, the 1918 Spanish Influenza and the global Coronavirus pandemic.

She was born during the first year of the First World War and, when she was just a toddler, lost her father, Sergeant Edward Flannagan who, was killed in action aged 30 in 1916. She had one sister and after her mother remarried, three half-brothers and a half-sister as well.

During the Second World War, when Jean was in her twenties, she worked in Euxton at the munitions factory and stencilled the numbers onto bombs.

After the war, she worked at Tulketh Mill and she made all her children's clothes. As teenagers, they would pick out bolts of cloth on Saturdays and she would create something for the evening that afternoon. She was a talented crocheter and made toys, blankets, baby clothes and even a crocheted suit.

Her family have described her as “feisty” with a passion for dancing and music.