FORMER weaver Dorothy Fletcher is celebrating her 100th birthday today by opening up her home for a king-sized party.

Dorothy was due to open the doors to her Little Lane, Longridge, home so family and friends could pop in and help her celebrate her extra special milestone.

And Dorothy is also looking forward to receiving the most precious gift bestowed on centenarians -- a telegram from the Queen.

Dorothy was born in Oxford, and, after her mother died, moved to Longridge at the age of 14 to live with her sister Florie Carter, who had married a local man.

She then went to live with her brother in Brighton for six months, but when he was posted out to Egypt with the Army, she returned to Longridge with her two other sisters.

Dorothy then went to work at the Black Bull Inn in Leyland, where she met her husband Walter. They were married in Longridge in 1923 and lived in Preston Road, and had three children, Harry, who died from cancer aged 48, Ron, who lives in Blackburn, and Joan, who lives in Morecambe.

Later Dorothy went to work as a winder and weaver at Ribchester Mill before going on to become a cleaner at Whittingham Hospital.

She has five grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren and one great great grandchild.

Reaching 100 is even more significant for Dorothy, who had a knee operation at 84, and both hips replaced -- the second of which took place on her 93rd birthday -- after she was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 35 and given six months to live by doctors.

Playing bowls for Conservative ladies was part of her recovery. Dorothy was also a member of the Mothers' Union for 48 years.

The secret to a long and happy life says Dorothy is "eating properly and never losing my temper. I have meals brought to me every lunchtime, but I still like to make my own breakfast and tea."