A GREAT-GRANDMOTHER with a love for dancing has celebrated her 103rd birthday.

Florence Stansfield marked the special occasion with friends and family as well as staff at Bank House care home.

Mrs Stansfield still has a spring in her step, and although she cannot dance the night away as she used to, she is still fighting fit.

Her daughter, 66-year-old Susan Hughes, said: "She is quite amazing for someone of her age really. I don't remember her being in hospital, apart from when she became dehydrated when she got the flu."

Mrs Stansfield, who was brought up in Olive Street, Bury, attended St Stephen's Primary School.

She worked as a paper sorter at a paper mill in Tottington Road, which has since been knocked down, and also worked at the East Lancashire Paper Mill site in Radcliffe.

Mrs Stansfield married her husband Thomas when she was aged 21, and they enjoyed a long and happy marriage before Mr Stansfield died, shortly before the couple's 40th wedding anniversary.

With one of her main passions being dancing, the couple frequently attended Elton Liberal Club for dances.

Even after her husband died, Mrs Stansfield followed her love and used to attend clubs for dance sessions.

In addition, the couple enjoyed going on holiday, with Blackpool, the Isle of Man and Switzerland among their favourite destinations.

Mrs Stansfield lived in Spencer Street, Elton, until the age of 100, and only moved into the care home after her daughters found it more difficult to look after her because of their own illnesses.

Mrs Hughes said: "She loves her family, and she is a really loving woman. The best way to describe her is as a character."

Mrs Stansfield keeps herself busy at the care home, in Brandlesholme Road, by enjoying games of bingo and knitting.

She has daughters Susan and June, as well as Betty, who died in 2011. In addition, she has six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.