A FERRYHILL woman celebrated her 100th birthday yesterday at a party with her family and friends.

Elizabeth Ann Layfield, nee Turner, of Denehurst Nursing Home was born in the town and had five sisters and three brothers.

Her 88-year-old sister, Margaret Parker, lives at the same home. Her brother, George, 86, lives in sheltered housing in Ferryhill, and youngest sister, Connie Davison, 83, also lives in the town.

Mrs Layfield's father was a coalminer and grave digger. Her mother was a housewife.

Fred Davison, her nephew, said that his aunt married William Layfield, from Thinford, when she was 28.

They started off with a milk business, but eventually took over a dairy at Station Town, near Wingate, where they worked until they retired in their sixties.

After her husband died, Mrs Layfield returned to Ferryhill.

She moved into the home two years ago.

Mr Davison said: "She is frail physically, but brilliant in her mind. She has got a better memory than me."

He said that she puts her long life down to a positive outlook.

"She tries to keep herself happy and forgets about her age," he said.

Mrs Layfield had a hectic morning receiving cards from the Queen and House of Commons and gifts and flowers from relatives and friends. The mayors of Sedgefield and Ferryhill, Councillor Alan Gray and Councillor Cath Conroy, also visited.

She then enjoyed entertainment from a singer at the home in the afternoon before a buffet tea with friends and family in the evening.