A CANCER survivor who recently turned 80 had the ‘best birthday of her life’ after she was inundated with thousands of well wishes.

Jill Doyle, who lives in Ellerside in Ulverston, was ‘elated’ after receiving more than 2,000 Facebook messages wishing her a happy birthday while she was in isolation.

The octogenarian was forced to go into a 12-week isolation due to being classed as ‘highly vulnerable’ after surviving breast cancer.

Mrs Doyle was apprehensive about entering lockdown without any access to basic necessities which is why she contacted the charity CancerCare.

She said: “I didn’t know what I was going to do when the lockdown was announced.

“My daughter works as a nurse in London so couldn’t help me. That’s when I contacted CancerCare who were just brilliant.

“They just asked for a list of shopping and got everything I needed. They have been an absolute godsend to me. I probably would have gone into a deep despair without them.”

Mrs Doyle’s lockdown experience was brightened when she received thousands of messages wishing her a happy 80th birthday.

“It was such an amazing day,” she said.

“I got 35 birthday cards and more than 2,000 Facebook messages - it was incredible.

“It made me feel elated. In the end it turned out to be one of my best birthdays.

“My friend at the top of the road made me a cake, I was constantly on the phone to people, I felt very loved.

“It was just a lovely day.”