WORKAHOLIC great-grandmother Hilda Ford is celebrating her 100th birthday with her feet up!

Hilda, of Harehill Avenue, Todmorden, received an MBE from the Queen in 1993 for being one of the oldest working women in the country.

She completed her last day's work just eight years ago.

And with Hilda's unique sense of humour she made herself a famous friend while she was at Buckingham Palace -- Conservative MP Ann Widdecombe, who managed to make the trip from London to Todmorden for Hilda's party with more than 200 other guests from all over the country at Todmorden Cricket Club.

She said: "I was shocked to see Ann but ever since we met all those years ago we have always kept in touch by letters.

"I am a person who likes debate so perhaps that is why Ann likes me so much.

"I couldn't believe how many people turned up to my party it was unbelievable. Friends I haven't seen for 50 years who live in Scotland came to see me, which was lovely.

"I got 132 cards which I didn't have enough room for in my house, so I have had to put them all in a folder so that I can keep them to look back at."

Hilda has had many jobs through the years but worked throughout the final years of her working life in a Todmorden car accessory shop and only retired when her eye sight deteriorated and she became partially blind.

She said: "I could have kept on going for longer if it wasn't for my poor eye sight which let me down. I loved working at the car shop because I love being around men!"

Hilda has four children, nine grandchildren and seven great grandchildren and says the secret to her good health is a long working life, a good sense of humour and plenty of singing.

She added: "When I met the Queen she commented on how well I looked for my age, and I told her that it was all the smiling that I do that keeps me in good shape, which she found funny.

"I have been a member of the Choral Society for 50 years and can still reach the highest notes, of which I am very proud."

Hilda was born and brought up in Liverpool where she worked in a gentleman's fitting shop just next to the docks.

She married William Henry Ford in 1932 when she moved to Manchester with William's work in insurance.

It was around 1939 when she moved to Todmorden with William and brought up four of their own children.