A CHEERY centenarian was reunited with family from far and wide for a celebration of her birthday this week.

Mary Jane Booth enjoyed her 100th birthday on Monday with a party at East Green Home, in West Auckland, where she has been a resident for three months.

Among the guests were daughters Joan Clarke, of Cheshire, and Joyce Billingham, who travelled from her home in Australia. Mrs Booth and her late husband, Lawrence, who she married in 1939, also had a son, Gordon, who sadly died five years ago.

Born in Princess Street, Spennymoor, her heart has remained in the North-East despite spells living and working as a cook in service in Wembley and Yorkshire.

Mrs Booth, who has six grandsons and 13 grandchildren, said the secret to a long and happy life is healthy eating and a sense of humour.

She said: "It was a lovely surprise to see my daughters, I've had a lovely 100th birthday.