PATRIOTIC folk across East Lancashire had a day-long party and raised a glass to the Queen Mother's centenary.

Shopkeepers in Waterfoot adorned their shops with flags to make sure none of their customers could forget just who was celebrating their 100th birthday yesterday.

In Clayton-le-Moors, florist Nigel O'Rourke and pensioner Ada Gibson dressed the window of Nigel's Whalley Road shop with flowers, flags, Ada's poems and their very own model of the Queen Mother.

Rene Miles, a resident of Hazeldene Nursing Home, Clayton-le-Dale, celebrated her own centenary on Thursday with a card from the Queen and a visit from the Mayor of the Ribble Valley, Coun Chris Holtom.

And Marjorie Chadwick was treated like royalty for a day at Brierfield House Nursing Home, Hardy Avenue, Brierfield, as she posed as the Queen Mother as part of the home's birthday celebrations.

Bellringers at Blackburn Cathedral held a special three-hour peel of bells as part of the celebrations.

And shoppers at Asda in Rawtenstall and Blackburn joined in the party atmosphere as both stores held cake-cutting ceremonies in honour of the Queen Mum. At the Rawtenstall store, staff helped Elizabeth Edmondson, 99, celebrate her own centenary a few days early.

Elizabeth was presented with a special cake for her 100th birthday which is on Wednesday.

Youngsters at Sunny Bees Nursery at Sunnybank School, Burnley, held their own party to commemorate the Queen Mother's centenary. While residents of Portland Street, Darwen, waited until today to hold their street party in honour of their favourite royal.

Resident Nellie Watson, who celebrated her 90th birthday this year, was one of the guests of honour as she posed as the Queen Mother for the day.

She was joined by Mark Fitton, who celebrated his 14th birthday yesterday, and Lee Martin, who met the Queen when she joined his Royal Navy ship as part of the Queen Mother's centenary celebrations.