A GREAT-GRANDMOTHER-OF-13 paid her first visit back to the country where she was born – 82 years after she left.

Daphne Rose, 90, was born in the Indian city of Calcutta, now known as Kolkata, in 1923 and got the chance to pay a fleeting three-day visit to there with her daughter and granddaughter.

The visit took place just before the 125th anniversary celebrations of her former school, Calcutta Girls' School.

And Mrs Rose, whose father was port commissioner in the city when she was born, also got the opportunity to see the Sacred Heart Church in which she was baptised.

The mother of six, who is also a grandmother-of-16, said: "It was wonderful.

"People say 'do you remember much about it?'

"I cannot remember lots, but I said I do remember the swings behind the school."

Mrs Rose, who was accompanied by her daughter Catherine Keane, a teacher at Oakhill College, Whalley, and granddaughter Catherine Randall, who works for the Nelson-based East Lancashire NHS Clinical Commissioning Group, had her photograph taken on the same swings more than 80 years after she last sat on them.

Pupils from the school welcomed Mrs Rose, who lives in Pleasington, Blackburn, with hymns, the Indian national anthem and gifts.

The former dictaphone typist, who married her late husband Fred in June 1945, was also invited to give speeches and donated a cup to the school which is to be presented each year for the highest achievement in the arts.

Mrs Rose, who also worked part-time at Pleasington Golf Club, said: "I had never thought I would get there, a lot has happened since.

"It was only three days, but it really was great. We were all treated like royalty.

"They made such a big fuss and four people asked if I would like to stay there with them!

"I will always have those wonderful memories now."

Mrs Rose, who is now planning a possible trip to visit her brother in Canada next year, added that her secret to staying so active was her supportive family and to enjoy life.

She said: "I like my food, especially butter.

"I have got a good family who are a big help to me and make all the difference.

"I am very lucky, that is all I can say."