IT was party time yesterday for centenarian Edith Herbert, who shared her birthday with her family and friends.

Born in Hunwick, Mrs Herbert left school at 14 and was 20 when she married her stonemason husband, Christopher, in Bishop Auckland, on Boxing Day in 1925.

They later moved to Coundon, and had three children, Moyra, now Mrs Colclough, Kenneth and the late Malcolm.

Mrs Herbert ran three sweet shops.

She has six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren and now lives in Shafto House, Newton Aycliffe.

Mrs Herbert was a committee member for the Women's Institute and British Legion, finding time to knit and crochet and make her own clothes and jam.

Manager Kevin Mulvey said: "She is a lovely lady, she has had a lovely life and had a wonderful day with her family and friends around her."

She has always enjoyed a good social life and was surrounded by friends.