A “BUBBLY” resident of a Bingley care home marked a very special milestone birthday today.

Louie Piotrowski is really “something special” according to staff at the Duchess Gardens Care Centre, Lady Lane, and they pulled out all the stops to ensure her 108th birthday was celebrated in style.

Louie, who was born Sarah Louisa Duffy in Hunslet, married Frank Yates and moved to Otley in 1939, where their sons Peter and Jim grew up.

A keen member of Otley Choral Society, she also taught ballroom dancing while working as a nurse and loved knitting.

Her husband Frank died in 1952 and she married Polish millworker Ted Piotrowski four years later.

The couple moved to Burley-in-Wharfedale and Louie became the manager of Menston Hall sheltered housing in 1967.

Ted died while Louie was in her early 90s and she carried on living on her own until the age of 103.

She has been at Duchess Gardens since 2012. Louie has four grandchildren and is also a great grandmother.

Senior carer Jodie Crooke said: “She’s lived a really enjoyable life. She loved ballroom dancing.

“Even now she’s up and active. She’s doing really well.”

Mrs Crooke said Louie enjoys sitting in the communal area and loves to listen to classical music.

“She’s bubbly and loves a good natter and a chat,” Mrs Crooke added.

A special party was held to celebrate Louie’s birthday, complete with banners, decorations and a cake.

She had also been sent lots of flowers and had a stack of presents to open. Her family, including her daughter-in-law and grandson Christopher, went along to enjoy the celebrations with her.

Sylvia Yates, Louie’s daughter-in-law, said: “She was known as the ‘spitfire’, she was always a little spitfire.

“She loves life. I think she’s brought a lot to Duchess Gardens with her character, she keeps them all on their toes. I think she still has those spitfire moments.”

Mrs Yates added: “The party was lovely. She got a card from the Queen and got something from the Lord Mayor and a beautiful cake. Someone sang for her and all the residents were there. They’ve been really good.”

Louie is the oldest resident at Duchess Gardens.

Mrs Crooke added: “She’s such a bubbly character - she’s lovely and full of character. She really kind-hearted and really something special.”