A CENTENARIAN who says the secret of long life is hard work, marked her big day with family and friends yesterday.

Bertha Marr, of Coxhoe, who still lives in her own home, received the customary message of congratulations from the Queen.

There was also a visit from Durham's Mayoress Margaret Gibbon, who had to leave her husband, Ray, the city's mayor, at home because of a chest infection.

Mrs Marr was born in West Cornforth but moved to Coxhoe as a girl and has lived in the village ever since.

At the age of 14 she left school to look after her sick mother and after, she died she continued to look after father and sister.

She was married to her late husband John for more than 50 years and the couple had two sons and two daughters.

Mrs Marr, who recently became a great-great-great grandmother, celebrated with her family, many coming from other parts of the country, friends and neighbours.

Son Colin said his mother puts her long life down to "hard work and looking after herself.

"In her younger days she enjoyed growing her own vegetables, which enabled her family to always have fresh food.''

Mrs Gibbon said: "Ray got a chest infection and rather than call the visit off I went alone.

"He has promised to go along to see her when she is better. She is a lovely lady and has a lovely family.''