ONE of the region's oldest residents yesterday boosted her collection of telegrams from the Queen when she celebrated her 105th birthday.

Alice Wood enjoyed a party at Castle Bank Nursing Home, Tow Law, County Durham, to mark another landmark birthday and was thrilled to receive her fifth card from the Queen.

Mrs Wood moved to the home earlier this year, when Albion House, in Crook, was closed as part of a modernisation scheme by Durham County Council.

She had lived at Albion House for 17 years, where staff described her as "a treasured resident".

Mrs Wood was originally from Chesterfield, where her great nephew and niece still live, and lived much of her life in Crook with her late husband.

Home manager June Pearson said: "She is a quiet lady but she enjoys a laugh and a joke.

"She enjoyed her birthday but says she still only feels 86."

Poignant memories of Annie

As a home's staff and residents held a party for Alice Wood yesterday, they also paid tribute to late resident Annie Pattison.

Mrs Pattison, of Castle Bank Nursing Home, Tow Law, who died aged 108 on November 12, was born in the now- deserted railway settlement of Salter's Gate.

She moved to Tow Law as an 18-year-old bride with her husband, Jack, who had a barber's shop.

She and her late husband had four children - Jean, Lilian Margaret, Tom and Win - who have now all died.

Grandson Raymond Finlay travelled from Ireland to Tow Law every year to celebrate her birthday and she had two great-grandchildren, Ch and Rory.

Home manager June Pearson said: "Annie was an incredible character, she is a great miss to staff and residents. She was with us about six years. She had managed to live almost completely independently in sheltered accommodation until she was 102 so she was an inspiration to everyone."