WHEN Doris Cleworth was born she was so tiny it was feared she could die within hours. Yet 106 years later she is still going strong, and is surely one of the oldest people living in St Helens today.

Doris, who after being born at home in Chapel Street, St Helens on November 15, 1908 was baptised immediately because concerns for her life were so grave, was surrounded by her family at the Colliers Croft nursing home, in Haydock, this month to celebrated her latest landmark.

She proudly clutched her third birthday card from the Queen – after receiving her first two at 100 and 105.

Educated locally, Doris worked at Pilkingtons before the Second World War, taking on a number of jobs, including ‘Firewatcher’ and seeing at least one incendiary bomb explode close to Top Works.

She married her husband Stan in 1942 while he was in the army, spending their honeymoon on an overnight stay in Southport before he returned to his unit.

They moved to Rodney Street in 1946, and Doris worked as deputy manager at the Metro laundry in Westfield Street.

Their son Geoff was born in 1951 and Doris was also involved with the Mothers Union at St Marks and worked part-time in the Christian Bookshop.

In 1979 they moved to the Saxon Court Sheltered Housing scheme in Keswick Road where they had a happy retirement until Stan’s death in 1997.

Still of sharp mind, Doris only gave up her flat there in March.

“Her memory is incredible and she keeps up with the news and is always interested in Saints results and local bowling news,” says son, Geoff, 63.

“She even remembers the end of the First World War, sitting on her dad’s shoulders at the town hall when the mayor announced the armistice.

"She would have been nearly ten that day.

“She always has good advice and remains very much the head of the family having four great grandchildren and two other step great grandchildren and recently met her seven-month-old great great nephew.

“We don’t know if she would be the oldest person living in St Helens and are trying to find out, and are looking for anyone who can help with that.”