A LUXURY ride in a Rolls-Royce marked the 100th birthday of a church stalwart.

Miss Bell Broughton was taken from her home in Denton Street, Barnoldswick, where she has lived since it was built 89 years ago, to St Andrew's Methodist Church in the town for a birthday celebration on Saturday.

Pendle mayor Councillor Jo Belbin, joined church members to wish many happy returns to Miss Broughton who has been linked with the church all her life.

Miss Broughton puts down the secret of her long life to not wanting to miss anything. Dennis Cairns, who has known Miss Broughton all his life, said: "She still takes an interest in everything that goes on.

"She is a bit deaf and finds it hard to see but her mind is still as razor sharp as ever."

Miss Broughton was born in Barnoldswick and has lived there all her life. Her parents owned a shoe shop in Newtown where the Midland Bank now is.

She went to the former Wesleyan Methodist Day School, now Rainhall Road Primary School, and was a member of the Wesleyan Methodist Church since being a baby and later when it became St Andrew's.

Miss Broughton worked as a weaver at various mills in the town for 47 years.

Church members held a coffee morning at St Andrew's at Miss Broughton's request to mark the century milestone.

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