FAMILY and friends of a Derwentside woman helped her celebrate her 100th birthday yesterday.

A party for Sarah Northey was held at the Lamplight Arts Centre, in Stanley.

It was attended by Durham North MP Kevan Jones, who gave her a card and chocolates from the House of Commons and read her message from the Queen.

Mrs Northey used to attend Beamish Primary School, formerly No Place School, and Mr Jones donated a local history book to the school to mark the occasion.

She is a favourite with staff at Greencroft Care Home, The Croft, New Kyo, Stanley, where she lives.

Yesterday they prepared her for the big day by serving her breakfast in bed, a massage, a new hairstyle, and manicure. They then took her to meet about 100 of her closest friends and family.

Her key worker Brenda Brown said: "She has been looking forward to this for years and has been loving all the attention and pampering.

"She is such a lovely person and her family are her life. She lives and breathes for them."

Mrs Northey has five children and 50 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Son Jack said: "She is an old-fashioned lady and likes talking to people. She is very family orientated and has had the time of her life today."