AFTER a lifetime as a staunch Methodist, a former lay preacher had a special sermon to deliver to mark her 100th birthday.

Ethel Walker recited a psalm and spoke about her faith to a small congregation sharing a service in the Willington care home where she has lived for the past two years.

Her birthday celebrations will continue over the weekend as members of her family call to see her at Portland House.

She was born in Willington, one of four girls, and was raised by her grandmother after the death of her mother, Betsy Anderson.

As a girl, she helped in her grandmother's fruit shop and worked there full-time after leaving Willington Council School at the age of 14.

A regular attender at the High Street Methodist Chapel, she helped in the minister's house until she left for Eastbourne to look after her aunt's family, later moving to Cheshire to care for 20 boys in a National Children's Home.

While she was away, she kept in touch with her friends and family. Letters to widower John Joseph Walker eventually brought romance and the couple were married when she was 39. She brought up his daughters Elsie and Lily alongside her own daughter Joyce, now Mrs Platten.

Her staunch faith helped her cope with John's death. She played the chapel organ and was a lay preacher for 23 years.

Still active, she knits blankets for church bazaars and to send overseas.

She said: "I have been very lucky and have had a marvellous life.

"I feel that I have had very little grief and sorrow compared to a lot of my friends."