A GRANDMOTHER has celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by her family.

Dora Wilkinson, from Esh Winning, near Durham City, marked the special occasion with a family party on Tuesday attended by her children and grandchildren.

Born in January 1911, she married Esh Winning miner Hughie Wilkinson for 50 years and the couple had four children.

As a young woman, Mrs Wilkinson worked in the stores and the laundry at St Margaret’s Hospital, Durham and then later at stores in newton Aycliffe until her retirement in 1973.

A lifelong lover of music, she used to sing at her local Baptist Church and also sang solo at church rallies.

During her special day, Durham County Council chairman Coun Mac Williams popped into her home to present her with a bouquet of flowers.