A CHORLEY family had countless celebrations on Sunday stretching across four generations.

Elizabeth Farnworth, from Beaconsfield Terrace, celebrated her 90th birthday and - along with her six remaining children, 27 grandchildren and 34 great-grandchildren - awaited the birth of great grandchild number 35, due that day.

But the family is still waiting. Expectant mother Barbara Crank - wife of Lizzy's grandson James - was at the get-together at St Joseph's Club, Harpers Lane, and even pulled pints behind the bar!

She said: "Everything's ready at home and at the hospital. It's up to the baby now.

"This great-grandchild really means a lot to Lizzy. She loves her family and we're all quite close even though there's a lot of us."

Lizzy's youngest daughter Barbara Zimmer said: "We're all proud of mum. She's an extraordinary lady.

"I've got more grey hairs than her. And every week she still goes to the Labour club and dances away. I don't know how she does it!"

And the network of relatives always manage to keep in touch - not always by phone or letter. Barbara explained: "I had a dream the night before mum's birthday my sister Mary would join us at 3pm - she was in Spain celebrating her ruby wedding anniversary. When Mary walked in the next day right on cue I couldn't believe it."

Elizabeth, who has outlived two of her children and whose own mother died aged 97, was left alone to bring up eight children when husband Robert died in 1954. The plucky pensioner, who used to work at Chorley's Cowling Mill, would do neighbours' washing to bring in extra money, but she yearned to be a singer.

Elizabeth said: "I sang a few songs at my party. I had a lovely day."

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