A WELL-loved local woman was thrown an unforgettable surprise party to celebrate her 90th birthday.

Stonebridge resident Bridget Driscoll, fondly known as ‘Babs’, was ‘happy and emotional’ to turn up to her favourite haunt, St Joseph’s Social Club, in Empire Way, Wembley, to find more than 100 friends and family members waiting for her on Saturday.

Mrs Driscoll, who is originally from West Cork in Ireland, retired from her 20-year stint as a lollipop lady in Harrow Road at the age of 85.

Before that, she worked as a welfare officer at St Joseph’s School, in Harlesden.

The mother-of-three, who has been living in Brent for more than 40 years, is a regular at the social club and can be found dancing the night away on most Saturdays.

Those attending the party included daughters Eileen, 50, Bernadette, 51, and Mary, 52, who came all the way from South Africa for the occasion.

Babs’ husband, James, died nine years ago.

Eileen said: “She was quite emotional because there was a lot of family there, including 16 of her nephews and nieces who came from Ireland.

“It was brilliant and she was dancing until 1am. She is an amazing woman.”

Babs was presented with a cake, which included a picture of the pub in West Cork where she was born and the church she used to attend.

Her friend, Tracy Blissett, said: “The evening was just like an episode of This is Your Life. A tribute from the children, Irish dance performers and a guitar solo put a magical smile on Babs’ face, especially with her love of dance and music.”