A LIFE filled with laughter and love has helped great-grandmother Dora Green to still feel young – despite turning 100 years old on Saturday. 

The former seamstress, who grew up on Fredrick Street in Latchford, celebrated her birthday milestone surrounded by loved ones at the Fir Grove Hotel on Knutsford Old Road at the weekend.

Born in Warrington, Dora was brought up alongside her six siblings so she was never short of someone to have fun with.

She left school at 14 where she turned her love of sewing into a job as a dressmaker.

She met her future husband John Green, who went on to the run the family business Jack Green Tyres, as a teenager.

The couple went on to marry at Latchford Baptist Church on New Year's Day in 1938 before holding the reception in a school hall nearby.

"I had to wear a cream suit because I could not afford to buy a dress. I still have the jacket," she said.

"We were a poor family and we used to have an allotment so we could grow our own fruit and vegetables.

"I think that could be the secret to living to 100."

The couple, who have six grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, welcomed into the world two children Wendy and Robin.

Her only son Robin recalled his mother's caring side when he was a child.

The 70-year-old said: "She would always be ready to apply Germolene to my many cuts, scratches and bruises.

"She would then say 'Just remember worse things happen at sea'."

Dora, whose maiden name was also Green, enjoyed going on cruises and spent 50 years of her life honing her talents on the dance floor.
She would regularly attend modern sequence dance lessons with her husband.

Dora moved to Kendal after John's death to be closer to her daughter before moving to Callands Care Home 18 months ago.