A PARTY is being held today to celebrate the birthday of one of Darlington's oldest residents.

Nearly 80 friends and relatives are gathering at Cockerton Club for 100-year-old Hilda Hall's birthday.

The centenarian, who only gave up smoking and drinking alcohol when she was aged almost 90, attributes her longevity to always being happy.

Mrs Hall, who turned 100 yesterday, was born in Darlington, moved to West Hartlepool when she was six, and says she can still remember the Zeppelin raids on the town during the First World War.

She moved back to Darlington when she married her late husband, William, who was a Linotype operator for The Northern Echo and the Observer.

The couple had four children before Mr Hall was killed in a road accident in Cockerton.

There will be five generations of Mrs Hall's family at today's party.

She said: "I've still got such a lot of memories.

"I've seen a lot of things change, for the better."

"I think not worrying keeps you alive - if you have trouble you just have to accept it and get on with life.

"Nothing ever worries me."