A stalwart of local politics celebrated her 100th birthday at her home in the Forest of Dean this week.

Mrs Elizabeth Johns of Glencarn, Five Acres, Coleford, has a store of memories of growing up in the Forest in the years when the area was dominated by coal mining.

Her husband, Lou Johns, worked at Cannop and Broadmoor collieries and Mrs Johns was a staunch supporter of the Labour cause which was in its infancy locally in her teens.

Mrs Johns was a founder of the Labour Party in Coleford and but for a tragic death in her family could well have become on of Britain's first women MPs.

She was also well known locally for her charity work.

Still active – though walking with the aid of a frame since breaking her hip in a fall – Mrs Johns is now the head of five generations of her family.