A HAPPY-GO-LUCKY pensioner was celebrating her 100th birthday today at her Clifton home surrounded by friends and family.

Florence Emma Twist (nee Swaby), who lives in Morrell House residential home, in Burton Stone Lane, is described by her pensioner children as a "bit of a laugh".

Florence, or Flo as she is known, was born in Portland Street, off Gillygate, in York. She married in 1921 and went on to have five daughters and one son. She now has 16 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren.

Her daughter Doreen said: "She didn't want a fuss making about how old she is! She's still a real character, even at 100, and keeps us all laughing.

"She's a real happy-go-lucky lady and still keeps us on our toes! She still enjoys a whisky and soda or a sherry and has a cigarette in the morning and one at night."

Elaine Pollard, manager of the home residential home, said: "Flo is definitely the fittest lady in the home.

"Unfortunately she fell and broke her arm a couple of weeks ago when the fire alarm went off. She's never broken a bone in her life so it was a cruel twist to do it just before her birthday.

"It's knocked the stuffing out of her a bit but she's still having a joke around."