A GREAT-GREAT grandmother will celebrate her 100th birthday surrounded by her family today.

Elizabeth Elmes will celebrate at a tea party with her daughter, Mary Sowerby, and son-in-law Frank, grandson Charles Simpson and great-grandchildren, at Castle Bank Residential Home, Tow Law, where she is a resident.

Mrs Elmes spent most of her life in Crook.

She followed in the footsteps of her father, Jimmy Heals, a well-known clog dancer.

She, too, entertained at concert parties by performing clog dances.

Mrs Elmes, who has two grandchildren, Charles and Susan, and three great-grandchildren, Jaimie, Jade Ann and Alex, also used to enjoy crocheting, sewing and knitting.

Stephanie Irvine, care assistant at the residential home, said: "She is marvellous for her age and does really well."