A FORMER dinner lady celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by her family and friends in Bishop Auckland yesterday.

Sarah Elizabeth Wood was joined by her daughter Sheila, 72, and son Ellis, 75, along with a further 19 members of her family at a party in her honour at Barrington Lodge Nursing Home, in Bishop Auckland.

Staff at the home have taken Mrs Wood to their hearts since she arrived there in March last year.

Entertainment co-ordinator Barbara Summers said: "We love her to bits. She is a real character and we have all taken to her. She certainly keeps us all on our toes and knows what she wants."

Mrs Wood is well-known in the small community of Butterknowle where she was born and lived for 75 years.

She took on the post as dinner lady at the village primary school after the death of husband, William, in 1950.

The couple had three children Sheila, Ellis and Lorna, who died when she was 73.

They also have three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Mrs Wood moved to Evenwood 25 years ago and until she left for the nursing home, she prided herself on keeping her home in pristine condition, doing all her own housework.

Daughter Sheila said: "She would never sit down, she always had to be working. Even now, she is still the boss."