THE secrets behind the long life of a woman who was born months after the end of the First World War have been revealed.

Doris Dutson celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by family and with a card from Her Majesty the Queen at Mill Lodge Care Home, Great Harwood.

She was born on August 7, 1919, which is the same year the football league resumed after it had been abandoned for four years due to the war, and one year after the first woman was allowed to vote in the UK.

Joining her amongst family members to toast the magnificent milestone, was her daughter Eileen Goodman and son Ken Hudson.

Sadly for those hoping to wing it into the triple figures fuelled by a diet of excess, Eileen said her mum’s longevity was down to a life of ‘doing everything in moderation’ and ‘keeping herself busy’.

She said: “Doris has always kept herself busy and has done everything in moderation.

“She would also have a limited amount to drink.

“So I think these things have been her secret to a long life.”

Born in Accrington, Doris grew up in Oswaldtwistle and went straight in the cotton mills, where she worked on and off all her life, and would weave as well as making parachutes.

During the Second World War, she helped out as a telephonist where she answered telephones.

Eileen said: “It was very hard to be a parent in the war. Children would get everything as their parents would give it to them.”

Doris has been married twice, first to Clifford Hudson and then to Fred Dutson, during her lifetime.

A mum to Eileen, Valerie, Ken and Kathleen during her lifetime, she also has seven grandchildren, five great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

Her hobbies include knitting, sewing, crown green bowling, darts, dancing and dominoes.

While Doris learnt to swim at the grand old age of 75.

Eileen said: “Doris is a brilliant woman. She’s easy going and fun to be with and such a loving person. So we wanted to organise this party to celebrate and she’s made up by it and the card from the Queen.”