Elsie Royston reflected on a “happy but hard life” as she celebrated her 105th birthday at an old people’s home in the district.

Staff at The Borrins Residential Home, in Station Road, Baildon, threw a party for Elsie, including a birthday tea, presents, cards and decorations.

The proud pensioner enjoyed the company of friends and was then entertained by one of her favourite singers, Terry C Williams.

Elsie, an only child, was born in Bradford in 1905 and attended a school in Girlington, where she spent most of her life.

She lived at Westwood Road, in Girlington, before moving to the residential home last year.

After leaving school, Elsie got a job in a spinning mill then while at a party, she met and fell in love with a soldier, Robert.

The church in which they were due to be married was still under construction when their big day arrived, so they married in a school classroom instead.

Elsie and Robert went on to have four children. Sadly, Robert died at the age of just 32 when their youngest child was only two weeks old.

Later, Elsie was in Bradford Royal Infirmary with a broken arm when a man called Alan helped her put her coat on and then gave her a lift home.

A year later, she saw him at a wedding and Alan told Elsie he was going to marry her.

They did marry and had 50 happy years together.

Two of Elsie’s children have died, but she has a son, Derek, who is 83 and lives in Sheffield, and a youngest daughter, Sarah, aged 69, who lives in Australia.

Yvonne Osbourne, senior carer at The Borrins, said: “Elsie has had a happy but hard life. She has a good friend and helper named Kathy.

“Elsie still loves music and talking about her past. Elsie was thrilled to get a birthday card from the Queen and commented ‘she looks like she’s getting old’.”

Back in 2005, the Telegraph & Argus reported how members of Elsie’s family flew across the world from Sydney in Australia to join her in her celebrations for her 100th birthday.