AN 'important part' of the Howley community will celebrate her 100th birthday on Saturday, March 25.

Ellen Flanagan, who moved to Thelwall Grange Care Home last November, will mark the milestone at a special party at the Weaste Lane site on the weekend.

The mum-of-one grew up in Howley and was a dinner lady at The Old School – a role she relished.

She said: "I really enjoyed the job, I loved all the pupils there.

"I have always lived in Warrington and have really liked it."

Fairfield and Howley councillors and residents have praised Ellen, known as Nell to some, for her efforts over the years.

Cllr Tony Higgins said: "Nell is a source of information from our past and you don't get to 100 without learning a lot along the way.

"When Cllr Peter Carey and I became ward councillors we would meet Nell every week at Nora Street Community House where she would be doing her usual job as the bonus ball collector, while giving all there much joy with many stories of local history.

"Nell was, until moving, an important part of the community around Nora Street and helped out at the annual Howley Carnival where she would help out on stalls."