THE emblem of Teesdale was used to decorate the birthday cake of retired teacher Doris Crighton, who celebrates her 100th birthday this Sunday.

The cake, made by neighbour Joyce Makepeace, depicts the upper dale's blue gentian and reflects Mrs Crighton's love of the outdoors. She was born in Sunderland on November 10, 1902, one of four children. Her father died when she was four.

She always wanted to be a teacher, and spent her career in Sunderland before moving to Teesdale on her retirement.

She first taught at a junior school, before progressing to a senior girls' school and several boys' schools.

She and her late husband, George, who was a civil servant, spent their honeymoon in the dale, later buying a holiday cottage at Hunt Hall, near Langdon Beck.