AFTER waiting more than a century to find out, a cheery centenarian discovered yesterday that blondes really do have more fun.

All her life Mary Jane Booth had always wanted a change of image but she had to wait for her 101st birthday to try out her new look.

It came courtesy of her daughter Joan Clarke, who brought her a blonde wig to wear for a celebration party at the East Green home, in West Auckland, where Mrs Booth has lived for more than a year.

The home's residential supervisor, Sheila Wilkes, said: "She had wanted to be blonde all her life so she enjoyed wearing the wig.

"She had a lovely day.

"We had a cake but she wouldn't have a drink.

"She said it's why she has stayed so healthy."

Born in Princess Street, Spennymoor, Mrs Booth worked as a cook in service in Wembley and Yorkshire before returning north.

She married her late husband Lawrence in 1939 and brought up two daughters - Mrs Clarke, who now lives in Cheshire, and Joyce Billingham, who travelled from her home in Australia for a family reunion a year ago,.

The couple also had a son, Gordon, who died five years ago.