ALICE Horne, one of Hyndburn’s oldest residents, has celebrated her 102nd birthday.
Alice, of Union Road, Oswaldtwistle, has amazingly cheated death on no fewer than four occasions.
As a child she contracted polio which can often be fatal and during the Second World War she was buried under the rubble of a matchstick factory after the German blitz on Liverpool.
At the age of 50 an accident left her confined to a wheelchair and in 2005 she was attacked by intruders who attempted to steal from her home.
Yet Alice has refused to let anything deter her and has spent many years working for charity.
A visit to a workhouse as a young woman left a lasting impression and as a result she started making clothes and baking for the poor.
In 2005 a former childhood resident of the workhouse visited Alice and told her she was the first person to ever give her a hug.
Alice has also been heavily involved with the Disabled Assoc-iation for Sport in Hyndburn, taking part in javelin, bowling and darts events, and she learned how to swim at the age of 70.
In 1986 she was named Britain’s most active pensioner.
This week Alice said the secret of her good health and long life was "hard work’’.
Her good friend and carer Jean O’Horo said Alice was visited by dozens of well-wishers on her birthday last Friday.
Jean said: "There were lots and lots of visitors. Her house is now full of flowers and cards."
Visitors included the Mayor of Hyndburn, Councillor Pam Barton, and council leader Peter Britcliffe.
Councillor Britcliffe said: "It was wonderful to go and see her.
"She really is a wonderful woman and seemed just as lively as ever.
"A fortune teller told her she would live to be 108 so we will have lots of visits in the future."
