A HUDDERSFIELD centenarian raised a glass to her health on her milestone birthday.

Lily Wadsworth celebrated her 100th birthday with family, friends and residents at The Mortons, Salendine Nook.

And she put her good health down to good cooking and hard work.

Lily, who was born to a mining family in County Durham, worked in service to the elite in their houses across the North East and Cumbria until her 20s.

She met her husband-to-be Harry while working at The Botanical Gardens in the Lake District, where he worked as a gardener.

In their early years of marriage the pair moved to Huddersfield, after a few years in Sheffield, in the early 40s.

Lily said: “Harry’s uncle Arthur ran the fish and chip shop in Almondbury and we took on the hardware shop next door and lived above it.

“I had three young children and living above the shop wasn’t ideal.”

Harry went to serve in Burma for four years during which time the family saved and on his return moved to a newly-built three bedroom house at Goldington Avenue in Oakes.

Lily added: “It was £600 for the house. It was a lovely family home.”

Harry sadly passed away in 1969.

Lily stayed active and took up dancing where she made a number of good friends.

Her love of cooking led her to join a monthly beetle drive which saw friends taking turns to play host in their own homes.

She moved to The Mortons, Salendine Nook, 15 years ago with a number of friends from the group.

Speaking of her milestone birthday, Lily added: “I have had a lovely day. I think the secret of my long life is good food and hard work. I used to have good food when I was in service and that is something which I have adopted as important.

“I loved cooking family meals.”

Lily was treated to a trip down memory lane by her son’s Michael and David and daughter Hazel when they whisked her back to Alnwick, in Northumberland, to mark the occasion.

Other presents included a LCD TV for her bedroom from The Morton residents and numerous floral bouquets. Guests at the party included her five grandchildren and six great grandchildren.