For most people a total eclipse of the sun is a once in a lifetime experience but for Mildred Howard it will rekindle memories of more than 70 years ago.

The 78-year-old was fortunate enough to glimpse the eclipse as a small girl in 1927.

Now she is looking forward to viewing it again on August 11, when she makes a special trip down to Polperro in Cornwall with her husband Peter, 71, daughter Carol and son-in law Bryan.

Mildred, of Kingsley Lane, Thundersley, remembers cycling to see the eclipse with her parents and elder brother, while living in Staffordshire, aged seven.

She said: "My mum and dad used to travel around a lot as they were Salvation Army officers and we happened to be living there at the time

"I was quite lucky because we were right there where you could see it. We rode to the top of a hill, just outside the town and I can remember it all going dark and the birds stopping singing. I just thought it was strange for it to suddenly go dark in the middle of the day.

"It is quite special to me. Everyone says it is a once in a lifetime experience but I will be lucky enough to see it twice."

Only Devon and Cornwall will witness a total solar eclipse, starting on the 11th minute of the 11th hour. The next one will not be until 2090.

Daughter, Carol Kilsby, 34, of Church Road, Benfleet, said: "It will be a great memory for the future and will be a special occasion as three generations of my family will have witnessed the eclipse."

Sun gazers - Mildred is set to see the total eclipse in Cornwall with husband Peter after she first saw the solar spectacle in 1927

Picture: ANDY PALMER

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.