GLADYS Shaw was so grateful at reaching her 100th birthday at the weekend after beating cancer two years ago, that she asked friends and relatives to give donations to Scarborough's St Catherine's Hospice instead of presents.

Mrs Shaw, of Cross Lane, Scarborough, said: "I had fantastic care and support from the hospice when I had breast cancer.

"Everyone was wonderful and I am so grateful ".

In recent years, she has knitted hundreds of hats in aid of the hospice.

Mrs Shaw, a prominent Methodist at Scarborough's Wreyfield Drive and Wesley churches, worked in a greengrocery store in Scarborough for many years.

She has outlived two husbands, and has a daughter, two grandsons and two great grandchildren.