A 104-year-old woman, who has been interested in the fire service since she moved next door to a station, has been given a birthday reception by firefighters.

Gerty Watson, from Lindisfarne Care Home, in Birtley, near Chester-le-Street, County Durham, spends hours watching from her bedroom window as firefighters train at the local station.

She became so well-known for her hobby at the care home that staff arranged for the firefighters to pay her a visit on her 104th birthday yesterday.

Home manager Pauline Waite said: "Our home overlooks the fire station yard and Gerty sits and looks out the window. She was absolutely overjoyed when they came in."

The firefighters brought Gerty a photograph of the crew taken outside the station, along with cards and other gifts.

They then helped to celebrate the diamond wedding of former firefighter Alf Hogarth and his wife, Lilly, also residents of the home.

The couple celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on Monday.