A GREENOCK gran celebrated her 103rd birthday in style - by going partying in Atlantic City with friends and family.

Margaret ‘Peggy’ Gillen, originally from Gibshill, moved to the Brooklyn in the US with her husband William and their three children in the 1950s, before eventually settling in New Jersey.

To celebrate the big milestone, Peggy spent a weekend at her ‘happy place’ - the casino - with cake, champagne and her favourite tipple, Hennessy brandy before hitting the slot machines with her family.

Speaking to the Tele, her grandson John said: “It’s been a tradition in our family for years.

“Her and my dad would go to Atlantic City together almost monthly.

"He'd pick her up and they'd make it a Friday to Monday trip.

“Then in February 2021, my dad died.

"Their bags were all packed to go.

“Me and my mum had to call her and say 'Nana, there's not gonna be a trip to Atlantic City.'

“It was just such a shock to tell her that her son - my dad - had died over the phone.

“It was the hardest thing to do, and she just gave us the strength to go on.

“She consoled us.

“My mum was determined to keep the tradition going so my cousin Elizabeth and her daughter Maggie stepped in, and they do it once a month now.

“She always looks forward to it.

“She is so independent and she loves having fun.

“So, it only felt right to do it for her birthday.”

John says that throughout the weekend, Peggy and the family shared many memories – including those of her time in Inverclyde and what it was like living in the area during World War II.

He added: “She still talks about Inverclyde all the time.

"It holds a special place in her heart.

“She always wants to know what's going on and my cousin sends her the Tele once a month or so.

“Before leaving Greenock she started her family there.

“Her husband William worked in the shipyards and when work was drying up he emigrated to the US, and then Peggy came over by boat with their children Bill, John – my dad – and Bernadette.

“Over the birthday weekend, they reminisced about life and she was telling stories of what she went through during the war, the Blitz, and during the times they were rationing.

“All neighbours were surviving.

"There was such a community spirit.”

Despite facing many challenges during her life – including the Covid pandemic, the death of her son and a ‘devastating’ fire that burned down the family home she had for over 50 years – her family says Peggy ‘never stops smiling.’

Grandson John said: “I am always amazed by her.

"When I have a bad day, I think what Nana has been through and it puts it into perspective.

“Last year, we were still grieving my dad's loss and then one day after Mother's Day her house burned down.

“But she just keeps smiling.

“She is so inspiring."

Atlantic City Resorts Casino Hotel posted about Peggy's special day and it garnered hundreds of good wishes from people across the world.

John said: “She loved hearing all the comments.

“There'll be plenty of more trips hopefully."