A Birthday girl celebrated her century in County Durham yesterday, enjoying her favourite pastime - reading The Northern Echo.

Sarah Jones, of Bearpark, started reading the newspaper when she was first married 76 years ago.

She has done it ever since, completing the crossword with the help of her daughter Irene.

Mrs Jones' family and friends will gather for her 100th birthday party on Saturday.

The widow, who is originally from Croxdale, moved to Bearpark in October 1926 after she married her husband Frederick, who was a traffic manager at Bearpark Colliery.

Throughout her time in the village, she has been active in St Edmund's Church, where she has been involved in the Mothers' Union and a member of the Parochial Church Council.

She has a granddaughter and a great-grandson.

Her daughter Irene, whose brother died ten years ago, said: "She can't walk but her brain is very active.

"We do The Northern Echo crossword whenever we can.