An Ashton resident has celebrated her 100th birthday and says that her secret to a long life is blueberries on her breakfast every morning.

Born on March 16, 1923, Vera Birch (nee Jenkinson) grew up on a farm in Wardle, Rochdale, before the family moved to Ashton when she was a young child.

She attended Holy Trinity School in the town and lived on Richmond Street with her parents who ran the former Market House pub.

Leaving home at the age of 14, Vera went into service - first as a kitchen hand and then as a lady's maid for a family in Kent.

She was called home to Ashton at the age of 17, as the war drew closer, and was a war bride, getting married at 19 to a serving soldier.

She had six children between the years 1943 and 1958.

Vera had numerous jobs down the years as well as bringing up her family, but her favourite job was as the site cook when the Ashton shopping centre and Staveleigh Mall were built back in the 1960s.

One of her daughters, Sue, said: "She's a legend. She's just amazing, and she's such a strong woman.

"Dementia has caught up with her these past few years but she has continued to be just incredible.

"She's always loved her music and dancing; she watches Strictly Come Dancing because it reminds her of our Blackpool family holidays when her and my dad would always be on the dance floor.

"She used to play piano in the pub often with her husband, my dad, too. She can still play piano now - despite her dementia.

"As soon as she touches the keys, the music just comes straight back to her.

She continued: "It was only at the age of 75 that my mum finally retired from her office cleaning job, the owners really looked after her so I think she stayed as long as she could.

"She had a wonderful retirement though; we went everywhere, on so many holidays. She even went to Cyprus on her own in her late 70s."

"There's just so much I could say about her, she really is amazing.

"I'm a retired midwife now but when I was going through my training, she took care of my son the whole time and I couldn't have done it without that help from her.

"And when I received my Bachelor of Science Honours degree, I was so proud that my mum was able to come to the graduation. Her being there made it feel so special. I'll always remember that."

Vera celebrated her 100th birthday at Daisy Nook Care Home, where she resides, surrounded by her friends and family.

She has lived there for 18 months, after being cared for at home until she was 98, and is the oldest resident at the home.

Sue added: "Our family can't thank them [the care home] enough for all that they've done."

Read more from the Tameside Reporter

Click here for more of the latest news

Click here to read the latest edition of the paper online

Click here to find out where you can pick up a copy of the paper