A woman has celebrated her 100th birthday with a surprise visit from the Mayor.
Marie Hocking, of Talbot Street, Rishton, was born on July 18, 1915 and moved to England from Belgium where she had grown up opposite the parliament buildings in Brussels, 77 years ago.
Following a period cleaning the borough’s park toilets, she ended up at Gaskells Carpets where she worked for 25 years.
Mrs Hocking was visited on Saturday by Councillor Marlene Haworth and Mayoress Dorothy Berry.
Marie said: “I have known a lot of war in my time, as I was born during the First World War and met my English husband during the Second World War.
“I have worked hard for everything in my life and, whilst I don’t have much, it is mine and I am happy in my little house.“I am so grateful for all my cards and flowers and everyone who has come to see me. My telegram from the Queen arrived at 9am and I was so proud to receive it, now I have had a visit from the Mayor.”
Coun Ken Moss said the Mayor’s visit was arranged by the local ward councillors and they arrived with a ‘big bunch of flowers’ and talked with her about her life.
