A PROUD Yorkshire woman who has only been outside the county twice in her life celebrated her 100th birthday with a day at the races.

Elsie Calvert, of Pickering, in the north of the county, bets on the horses every week, but had never been to a meeting until yesterday.

Family and friends arranged for the surprise VIP trip to Redcar Racecourse and, as a bonus, she had two races named after her, and managed to pick up £150 with two winners.

Mrs Calvert, who was born in Grangetown, Middlesbrough, on September 20, 1907, when it was part of North Yorkshire, has only been out of the county for a short break to Torquay and a holiday to Butlins.

She said: "Why would I want to go out of Yorkshire when I have all this lovely countryside around me. I do not need to go anywhere else."

Mrs Calvert now lives in a care home, and enjoys playing bingo, dominoes, dancing and the horses.

She said: "I love the races. I have not got a lot of money, but it is something I enjoy.

"I like to have a bet and I have enjoyed the horses for as long as I can remember. It is part of my life. I like the Irish jockeys. If I like the name, I often pick that one. I live in hope that I will win. I generally bet each way because then if they do not come first, they can come second.

"I cannot get over having two races named after me. I am so stunned. I did not expect this, everyone has been so nice."

As a youngster, Mrs Calvert worked on a farm, which included milking cows, and said she enjoyed every minute of it.

When asked what her secret was for reaching 100, she said it was plenty of hard work.

Redcar Racecourse chief executive Neil Etherington said: "When we were approached to see if we could organise something special for Elsie, we were delighted to help."

Mrs Calvert was given £100 of free bets by bookmaker Tote to help her celebrate.

She also had to judge the best turned-out horses in her two races and present the winners with prizes.