A FIGHTING spirit, hard work and a good pair of stiletto heels are a great grandmother’s secret to reaching 104.

Nora Harris celebrated her milestone birthday last weekend (Saturday, 10 November) at Sanctuary Care’s Juniper House Residential Care Home in St John’s, Worcester, surrounded by friends and family.

When asked her secret to reaching 104, Mrs Harris said: “Hard work, it has not always been easy, but I have just got on with it and feel happy to be celebrating my birthday.

"The most enjoyable parts of my life so far have been having the children.”

Nora’s daughter, Meryl Bradshaw said: “I know it sounds funny, but she wore stiletto heels until she was 65, she was always clipping around in them.

“She used to walk down the hill to work at 5.30am, waking up the neighbours because there was no double glazing, and then back up the hill afterwards. Everybody knew who it was because you could hear her coming, but it kept her fit.”

In 1936 Nora met husband-to-be Arthur. They had two daughters Meryl and Patricia, who died several years ago, nine months before her son William passed away.

During the Second World War, Arthur was killed in service in 1945 on the border of Germany and Holland when Meryl was just two years old.

Meryl said of her mum’s fighting spirit: “She is feisty. Because of the hard life she’s had she has had to get on with it.

“When she got the telegram to say my dad had been killed, she knew she was going to have to go to work because the Government only gave widows 10 shillings a week and she had a mortgage to pay. She did have it tough and had to work all her life.”

Nora spent most of her life working in factories in Birmingham, before she moved to Droitwich to be closer to Meryl.

Speaking about how proud she feels of her mother, Meryl added: “We are all very proud of her and very much amazed. She is tough as old boots and is bright as a button and full of life.”

Manager at the home, Cindy Hawkins commented: “Nora is a huge character in our home. She is such a witty and remarkable lady and we are honoured to be celebrating this special birthday with her.”