ONE of County Durham's oldest residents boosted her collection of telegrams from the Queen when she celebrated her 105th birthday this week.

Alice Wood enjoyed a party at Castle Bank Nursing Home, Tow Law, to mark another landmark birthday and was thrilled to receive her fifth royal greeting on Monday.

Mrs Wood moved to the home earlier this year, when Albion House, in Crook, was closed as part of a modernisation scheme by Durham County Council.

She had been a resident of Albion House for about 17 years, where staff described her as 'a treasured resident'.

Mrs Wood was originally from Chesterfield, where her great nephew and niece still live, and lived much of her life in Crook with her late husband.

Home manager June Pearson said: "She is a quiet lady but she enjoys a laugh and a joke. She enjoyed her birthday but says she still only feels 86."