ADA Sandford's Irish eyes were smiling, yesterday as she celebrated her 100th birthday.

Her four great-grandchildren and three grandchildren joined County Sligo-born Mrs Sandford to celebrate her big day.

Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's Mayor and Mayoress, Councillor Arthur Dobson and Iris Dobson, also dropped in at Normanby Hall Nursing Home, to wish the home's eldest resident a happy birthday.

Margaret Hopwood, matron at the home, said: "She's such a pleasant old lady, a lovely person."

Mrs Sandford lived in Guisborough before moving to the home six years ago. Her son Bryan, a reader at the church of St Nicholas, Guisborough, was awarded the CBE in the 1996 Birthday Honours List for his services to the Church