A former sweet and clothes shopkeeper has celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by friends and family.
Vera Cliffe, who ran a sweets shop in Accrington and then later a clothes shop in Church, enjoyed reaching three figures with a special party at the Swan hotel in Whalley.
She was also thrilled to get a congratulatory message from the Queen.
Vera was born in Blackburn and left school at the age of 14.
She then started working at the mills in Oswaldtwistle and walked there each day.
After marrying her husband James Leslie Cliffe in 1939 they moved to Accrington and ran a sweets shop on Blackburn Road before later setting up a clothes shop on Henry Street in Church.
The couple retired in 1969 and moved to Whalley.
Vera has daughters Vera Ingham, 74, from Accrington, Barbara Robinson, 70, from Accrington and Margaret Haworth, 66, from Read.
She also has four grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and one great, great-granddaughter.
Barbara said her mum had a ‘wonderful birthday’ with a special three-tier birthday cake.
