A GREAT-GRANDMOTHER who has lived in York all of her life has celebrated her 103rd birthday.

Florence Rain, of Osbaldwick, had a tea party with friends to mark her landmark birthday.

Mrs Rain said: “I did not expect to be 103 years old but it feels no different.”

Born in York on February 14, 1908, Mrs Rain spent her early life in Long Close Lane, near Walmgate.

After meeting her late husband, Harry Giles Rain, at a dance at Strensall Barracks, the pair married in 1930 and moved to Leeman Road. She worked as a machine operator at Sessions printing firm before going on to have seven children – Edith, Irene, Jean, Harry, George, Brian and Alan.

Mrs Rain said: “One of my favourite memories is travelling to visit my daughter, Irene, in Australia. “It was lovely. My daughter could have persuaded me to stay, but I loved my hometown of York.”