Elizabeth Court care home hosts party for Polly's 107th

Mary Nicholson, known by the nickname Polly, turned 107 on Wednesday, January 12.

Unfortunately a recent outbreak of Covid meant Polly's family could not be inside the home in Sutton with her for the big day, but her relatives visited and stayed outside to mark the occasion.

Polly on her birthday

"They had a little party for her with balloons and cake, and they had party hats on," said Polly's niece Carole, 64.

"She had a good day. me and my husband went and then my sister Jean and her husband, my niece and two great-nieces.

"My daughter sent her a message over the phone and she had quite a few cards and different messages."

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Polly also received her latest birthday card from Queen Elizabeth II.

Polly's 107th birthday card message from the Queen

Born on January 12, 1915, Polly was just aged five when she lost her mum to diabetes.

She lived close to Carr Mill Dam, growing up in the 1920s with her two siblings and dad.

A few years later, after her dad remarried, the family moved to Crank Post Office where they provided residents with fresh bread, cakes and pastries that they baked on the premises.

Polly in her younger days with her niece Jean

She then went on to work in a shop on Park Road and in the canteen at Pilkington's Head Office until she retired.

Polly has said she attributes her long life to "the full fat milk, cream and butter she was brought up on as well as the fresh air and exercise by walking everywhere, and in later life she enjoys her tipple of whisky at night time".