Redcar Library's oldest borrower celebrated her 100th birthday with a party at her favourite haunt.

Great-grandmother Doris Sleightholm is celebrating her centenary today, but yesterday she was given a special treat at Redcar Library.

Mrs Sleightholm is the oldest of the borough's 80,000 registered library borrowers, and was presented with a bouquet of flowers by two-year-old Elizabeth Roger.

Mrs Sleightholm met Elizabeth when she was just seven months old, when the library service's oldest and youngest borrowers were asked to help celebrate Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's Charter Mark award from the Government.

Mrs Sleightholm said: "I come down once a fortnight and get eight books at a time. Whodunnits are my favourite - and I've only been late once."

Granddaughter Lesley Morton said: "She's brilliant. She insists on living on her own, and apart from a window cleaner, she won't have anyone to help. She's got a wheelchair, but won't use it. And she loves reading."

Redcar branch librarian Ian Wilson said: "She's a marvellous lady. She's a regular with her family, and we're delighted to be a part of her celebrations."

Mrs Sleightholm was born in Boosbeck, and is a member of Redcar's well-known Picknett fishing family. Her late father was a builder, who was responsible for building the terrace homes off Lord Street.

Mrs Sleightholm had a career in service before graduating to become a cook. She then showed her indomitable spirit by operating as a crane driver in the steelworks, at Redcar, during the Second World War.

After her husband Arnold died, she spent many years working in local bakeries.

She has a daughter Moira, grandchildren Lesley and John and four great-grandchildren.

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