A WOMAN has written her debut book – at the grand age of 93.

Margaret Ford has released A Daughter’s Choice focusing on the ups and downs of her early life in Blackburn.

Published by Pan Macmillan, the book looks at Mrs Ford’s life growing up in between the world wars, struggling to survive as her mother was abandoned by her father and the twists and turns the Second World War would bring.

Mrs Ford was born in Goldhey Street, Little Harwood, in 1926, and the book covers her childhood years, including going to St Alban’s School before moving to a convent.

As she left and found her way into a job at the nearby dye works, her life was turned upside down as the war broke out.

The book goes onto finding happiness in the dance halls and meeting men she would go on to court.

Like many, Mrs Ford went onto suffer the heartbreak of war, as many boyfriends, husbands, brothers and sons did not come home.

Partners Ray Nash, who she had known since he was a child, and Leslie Fielding, both only just out of their late teens, were killed in action during the Second World War.

Mrs Ford, who now lives in Carnforth, said she had decided she initially wanted to write a book about the 630 love-letters her and her late husband, James Ford, had exchanged during his time serving in the army. They were married for 66 years.

She said: “The book became about my entire life.

“I wanted to show the difference between people back then and how people are today.

“People cared for everyone, not just their immediate family.

“You wanted to help each other back then. It feels as if everyone is in competition with each other now.”

The book is the first part of a two-book story Mrs Ford wants to publish, with this chapter finishing with the couple marrying. She added: “Thinking back about those times did get me feeling emotional. There were good times during the war, despite all the sadness. You had to enjoy the good times you had to get you through it. I hope I show this in my book.”