A Darlington woman celebrated two milestones this week.

As well as marking the Queen's 50 years on the throne, Lillian Bell was celebrating her 105th birthday with friends and family.

Her son, John, 75, flew from New Zealand to join her for the birthday celebration at the Moorland Residential Home, in Stanhope Road, Darlington.

The town's MP, Alan Milburn, also visited the mother-of-three on her special day.

Mrs Bell's daughter, Nancy Hutchinson, said: "She was chatting to him for ages, just as if he was an old friend.

"Mr Milburn thought she was amazing. He could not believe she was 105 - he said she looked more like 85.

"My mother's eyesight and hearing aren't very good, and she needs to walk with a frame, but she has the mind of a young woman.

"She has never smoked or drank, and she always says that is the reason she has led such a long life."

Mrs Bell, who is also a great-grandmother, lost her husband, George Luther Bell, in 1967.

For many years, she ran a Sunday newsagents business from her home in Widdowfield Street, often delivering all the newspapers herself.