THE party was in full flow at the weekend as nursing home staff and residents joined family and friends of Edith Hunter as she celebrated her 100th birthday.
Mrs Hunter was the centre of attention as about 50 visitors joined the festivities at St Mary's Nursing Home, in Church Chare, Chester-le-Street.
She received plenty of congratulations, not least messages from the Queen and Work and Pensions Secretary David Blunkett.
There was also an autographed photograph wishing her all the best from North-East television news presenter Mike Neville.
There was a bouquet presented by Durham County Council member Christine Smith and two birthday cakes.
However, the piece-de-resistance was a portrait of Mrs Hunter and her only surviving son, George, which was painted for them by local artist David Haskett.
Born in Kimblesworth, near Chester-le-Street, Mrs Hunter worked as a cleaner and was married to a miner.
She lived much of her life in nearby Nettlesworth.
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