Determined Longton grandmother Jenny, 99, joins neighbours to cheer NHS workers

Plucky pensioner Jenny Cooper, who was given a poor prognosis as a child, and previously beat bladder cancer, will turn 100 this September.

The retired Crown Paints worker lives independently with help from family and neighbours, and wanted to take part in the mass round of applause in support of the NHS workers battling the coronavirus pandemic.

Her proud daughter Helen Cresswell, from Tarleton, said: “We all really see the NHS as being absolutely amazing.

“My grand parents didn’t have much money when she was a baby and they were warned she may have a hole in her heart, but she defied them and survived.

“She went to Darwen Grammar School but it wasn’t possible at that time for her to continue there - but her chemistry teacher told her she could have been a doctor.”

Instead, Jenny, who has two children and two grandchildren, developed an interest in writing poetry and amateur dramatics.