IS Jane Raby the Bradford district's oldest woman?

Mrs Raby, who was born in Crossflatts, Bingley, turns 104 today, and is believed to be the oldest living woman in the district.

The centenarian, who now lives at Crossley House residential home in Thornton Road, Fairweather Green, was joined by members of staff at the home to celebrate her 104th birthday.

Mrs Raby spent the majority of her working life as a nurse, at Bradford Royal Infirmary, at Daniel Illingworth's wool mill, and as a midwife in Nottingham during the Second World War, and worked serving tea at Thornton Grammar School well into her 80s.

Barrie Raby, 73, Mrs Raby's son, said the secret to his mother's long life is eating whatever she wanted.

Mr Raby said: "Even at her age, my mum is still a bright spark.

"She lived independently until she was 102, but now she is fairly deaf and going a bit blind, but if you speak loudly and clearly she can hold a good conversation."

"She is a lady with great resolution and determination and she is of good Yorkshire stock, and the secret to her longevity is taking no notice of fad diets.

"She was brought up on bread and dripping, and has always loved fatty meats and cream; she has always eaten what she wanted no matter how unhealthy it might be."

Mrs Raby's son, Barrie, 73, said that she was visited by her granddaughters, aged 49 and 47, last weekend to celebrate her birthday, an he will be visiting his mother at the end of the month, as he now lives in Devon.

Mrs Raby also has three great-grandchildren, one aged 28 who now lives in Australia, and two more aged 18 and 15.