MANCHESTER's oldest woman has died at the age of 110.

Edna McClure was a member of an exclusive club of 'supercentenarians' – with less than 80 people worldwide currently recognised as 110 or older.

Born and bred in Blackley, Edna could describe first hand the excitement surrounding the Titanic's maiden voyage, the turmoil of the First World War, and misery of the Great Depression.

At the time of her death earlier this month, she was believed to be the sixth oldest person in England and eighth oldest in Britain.

Born in 1899, the retired nurse credited her long years to hard work and clean living – but enjoyed an occasional glass of sherry.

She died at North Manchester hospital following a chest infection – the same hospital in which she was born – on Monday, January 11.

Fellow residents at her care home were unable to attend a service at Blackley crematorium this week but raised a glass in her memory.

Remarkable woman

Karen Dutton, manager of Blackley Premier Care home, said: “Edna was a remarkable woman. She lived in her own house up until five years ago when she came in with us. She still had quite an appetite and she would have a little glass of sherry most nights.

“Instead of reading about something that happened in history, Edna was able to tell us first hand how it was. It made it seem more real.

“She would talk about the Titanic and what happened during the wars. She had seen so much change.

“Even though I'm a grandmother, she would refer to me as a kid.”

Non-smoker Edna , who also worked as a kiosk attendant at the now demolished Fairways cinema, tragically outlived her two daughters Beryl and Glenys, who both died in middle-age, and husband Walter.

She is survived by son-in-law Peter Collins and grandchildren, Gary, Darren and Debbie, and a further half a dozen great grandchildren.

Until the age of 105, the pensioner lived independently at her home in Moston, supported by family and social services.

Family say Edna's own grandmother was reputed to have lived to the age of 101

The oldest person ever recorded was Frenchwoman Jeanne Calment, who died in 1997 aged 122.