ELIZABETH Bowman has three good reasons never to forget her 100th birthday.

The centenarian, from Easington Lane, had three parties to celebrate.

Mrs Bowman was born in Easington Lane and, apart from a time in service in London, has spent all of her life in the community.

After marrying the late John Bowman, she had two sons and a daughter, and now has five grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

And it was her close-knit family who helped mark her 100th birthday at the Hallgarth Manor Hotel.

Well known in the area, Mrs Bowman regularly attends two luncheon clubs, at Easington Lane and Hetton, and each held functions to help her celebrate.

Mrs Bowman still lives in her own home and puts her longevity down to her mother's genes - revealing that her mother, Lilly Howe, lived until she was 99.