AN energetic lady celebrated her 80th birthday dancing the Highland Fling!

Great grandmother Una Gahan held a party for 140 relatives and friends who travelled from Canada, America, France and Scotland.

Her children Jimmy, 57, Peter, 55, Helen, 50, David, 47, and Andrew, 44, joined her sister Moira, from Florida, and great granddaughter Athena and great great granddaughter Gabriella, three, from Canada for the celebration.

Brothers Jimmy and Bruce came from Scotland.

Instead of gifts, Una asked for donations and presented £660 to Halton Haven Hospice.

Scottish-born mum-of-five Una fell in love with airman Tony, a plant controller at ICI, in 1958 and they were married for 53 years until he died in 2012.

Una, who lives in the old town, said: “I love Runcorn. I came as a young bride and regard it as my home town.

“I wanted to give something back.

“I have visited friends at Halton Haven and thought it was a lovely, homely place. They deserve our support.”

Una recorded memories of her life in a nostalgic autobiography and became an author at 77.

‘Write it Down Grandma’ sold 400 copies and is available on kindle.

“I’m writing the sequel now,” said Una. “It’s going to be more cheerful, about the future.”

After losing her husband Una vowed to make new friends.

“I joined Tai Chi, a Wednesday club and met a group of friends who I go on holiday with,” added Una.

“You’ve got to eat well, sleep and have fun because life has to go on.”

Shaun Pollard, hospice chief executive, said: “We are so grateful to Una for this lovely donation. It is such a kind gesture to think of us at this special celebration and an incredibly selfless way of supporting the hospice.

“We would like to thank all of her friends and family for their generosity. “The hospice is so reliant on gifts like this and the money will be well spent in caring for our patients.”