A DOCTOR who devoted her career to running child welfare and family planning clinics has celebrated her 100th birthday.

Dr May Wyon, who ran clinics from Thirsk to Catterick Garrison, marked her centenary with a gathering for friends and family at her home in Thirlby and received a card from the Queen.

One former patient of Dr Wyon recalled her contraceptive advice: “Take a glass of water – not before, not after, but instead of.”

Dr Wyon who moved to Thirsk with her late Thirsk GP husband, Peter, in 1946, gave up driving five years ago and until recently went on daily walks from her home of 40 years.

The committed Quaker and great grandmother ran the NSPCC’s Thirsk branch for 30 years and was a governor at Breckenborough School, near Sandhutton, Thirsk, and Bootham School, in York.

Her son, Andrew, said: “Her biggest regret is that she can no longer do anything for anybody.”