A Darlington woman celebrated her 106th birthday at the weekend.

Lillian Bell, of Moorlands Care Home, Darlington, celebrated on Saturday with her three children, Barry, 64, Nancy Hutchinson, 72, and John, 76, who flew from his home in New Zealand.

Staff at the care home staged a This is Your Life event.

Darlington Mayor Ron Lewis and the Mayoress, his wife Margaret, attended the party to pass on their congratulations.

Mrs Hutchinson said: "She thoroughly enjoyed her day and was chatting away to the Mayor and Mayoress. She was in great spirits - her mind is fully there. She is a bit deaf and has to walk with a frame but other than that she is in excellent health.

"I'm sure we'll be celebrating her birthday again next year if she carries on the way she is, and hopefully for some years to come.

"She was a country girl and I think that has helped her good health. She has also never smoked or drank."

Mrs Bell, who has 11 grandchildren and great grandchildren, ran a Sunday newsagents business from her home in Widdowfield Street for many years.