YOUNG at heart centenarian Audrey Wood celebrated her birthday yesterday with the energy of a woman half her age.

Mrs Wood threw a day-long party at her home in Bishop Auckland, where she cooks for herself and does all her own housework.

She grew up in Redcar where her father was a tailor and her late husband Ronnie owned the town's only jeweller's.

The Wood family's business interests, overseen by Mr Wood and his brother Reg, included a newsagents shop and gift store and working hours would often be from early morning until late at night.

When Mr and Mrs Wood's two children Esme, now Mrs Golightly, and Harold, were born, they relied on Mrs Wood's sister, Connie Bellwood, to help bring them up.

Sadly, the business was sold when Ronnie died at the age of 47, nearly 60 years ago, but Miss Bellwood continued to live with the family.

Mrs Wood, who was a well-known bowls player in the Redcar area, said: "I could start work at five in the morning and still be there at 11 at night.

"We had a gift shop on the promenade and we stayed open for the mystery trips that came to Redcar in those days. It was very hard work but I always had a very happy life. I still believe in staying young at heart."

Mrs Wood and Miss Bellwood moved to Bishop Auckland 17 years ago to live near Mrs Golightly. Miss Bellwood was 95 when she died in 1998.

Harold, his wife Vivienne and their daughter Sarah travelled from their home in Lincolnshire to share yesterday's celebrations.

Mrs Wood was also joined by her grandson Andrew Golightly and her two great-grandchildren Jonathan and Lisa Golightly.