MILL museum staff in Burnley will be raising a glass this week to celebrate the 100th birthday of their oldest resident.

On Friday, the Number Two Lancashire boiler which provides the power to run Europe's last working steam-driven mill at Queen Street will be 100 years old.

The actual age of the boiler, manufactured by Messrs Tinker Shenton of Hyde, was only discovered recently during restoration work -- just in time for a birthday celebration.

Visitors on Friday will be treated to a free piece of birthday cake and a hot drink.

But principal mill museum keeper Ian Gibson says the boiler will not be able to take part in the celebrations.

"She will be working hard producing steam for our 500hp steam engine "Peace"," he says.