A centurion who celebrated her 101st birthday has spoken of her ‘joy’ of visiting church every week.

Florence Ainsworth visits West End Methodist Church in Oswaldtwistle in her trusted scooter which she parks at the entrance on Sunday mornings.

She was born in 1923 and turned 101 this week, and said she loved to visit the church and have some tea and biscuits with friends following the service.

She said: “I have been coming to this church for over 20 years. But I have been going to many other churches in the area for many other years.

“You will find some of the other churches would close down as time went on.

“I come here now as I only live around the corner.”

Florence was a bus conductor for 30 years from the 1940s and said she 'used to collect the tickets from passengers.'

She remembers attending Spring Hill School in the 1920s and lived through many major historical events of the 20th century.

She was aged just 16 when the world went to war in 1939 and celebrated her 50th birthday in 1973.

(Image: Nq/LT)

During her life she has seen she has lived through 26 general elections.

It is 100 years since Labour’s first Prime Minister, Ramsey McDonald, replaced Conservative Stanley Baldwin in 1924.

It was a year which ended with Stanley Baldwin as Prime Minister again.

Florence was also born before John Logie Baird gave the world's first demonstration of a working television in 1926. 

(Image: Nq/LT)

Peter has known Florence for 16 years and said she was a true inspiration to everyone at the church.

He said: “Up until a few years ago she used to go dancing every week. She used to go dancing with her sister. It was one of her favourite past times.

“She likes to play games and cards a lot too.

“She gets asked what her favourite drink and food is. She likes tea but does not like onions.

“She is not someone who wants people to make too much of a fuss. She just gets on with things.”

Florence said her sister, Mariam, next year will be 90 years of age. For her 100th birthday Florence’s family visited from Canada and they had a party.

Florence added: “I can only hope that the majority of people can find happiness in life in whatever they may do.”