FIVE generations of the Handley family turned out to celebrate a great-great grandmother's 100th birthday.

Centenarian Letitia Handley, from Shildon, said that the gathering at the Burtree Inn had been a truly special day.

She said: "All my grandchildren were there. It was marvellous."

Mrs Handley was born in Bowden Close, Crook, the second child of a family of 14. She has seven brothers and six sisters.

She loved dancing at the Elite Hall, Crook, and won awards for her skill, but gave it up when she moved to Shildon with her husband, Jim.

They married at St Catherine's Church, Crook, where Mrs Handley was a member of the choir.

The couple had three children Harry, Christina and Elizabeth.

They enjoyed travelling to Scotland and Canada until Mr Handley's death at 67.

Her granddaughter, Jackie Lundy, said: "She could never sit still. Right up until a couple of years ago she used to make us all Christmas cakes.''

The former Aycliffe Angel munitions worker now enjoys watching action films and has a fondness for stars Charlton Heston and Sean Connery.

She said: "I have had The Northern Echo every day since 1929 and I remember my mother getting it. I read it from cover to cover."