ROYALTY has played a big part in centenarian Irene Littler’s life.

The sprightly pensioner celebrated her 100th birthday at the Beechville Care Home on Chorley New Road on Wednesday with a party for friends and family, was delighted to receive a congratulatory card from the Queen.

It was extra special for the great-grandmother and mother-of-three as it was during a street party to celebrate the coronation of the Queen’s father, George VI in 1937 that Irene, a publican’s daughter, met her future husband Frank.

The couple married in 1939 and were together almost 60 years until Mr Littler’s death in 1998.

During the war Mr Littler was employed making tanks at the Vulcan Foundry in Newton le Willows and after their own children had left home Mrs Littler became a childminder for friends and neighbours.

The Littlers had three daughters, Janet, Avis and Margaret and at the birthday party her son-in-law, Roy Gibbins, showed a “This is Your Life” style documentary on television about the pensioner.

Asked whether it had been hard managing to live until 100, Mrs Littler replied: “No, not really. I just have to make sure I get up and out of bed every day.”

Mrs Littler has been a resident at the care home for the last four years after moving to be near family in Bradshaw.

“She is a truly remarkable lady and very independent. She is an absolute joy,” said the home’s activities co-ordinator Julie Pearce.