AN active centenarian who loves movies, books and crosswords has thanked the medical team who saved her sight.

Doctors at South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust discovered and treated a serious eye condition - which means former teacher Irene Stoddart is still able to indulge in her favourite pursuits.

And in celebration of her centenary year, she is now keen to raise awareness of the importance of retinal screening - which helped identify her age-related macular degeneration ten years ago, following a routine check-up for cataracts.

Ms Stoddart has also made a generous donation to the retinal development fund - and personally thanked consultant Dr Sridhar Manvikar at the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton.

“Reading is so important to me. It is one of the main things in my life. To be able to continue to read means so much,” she said.

“I’m just so grateful to the doctors who’ve enabled me to keep my sight. Bearing in mind my age, the fact the NHS is still willing to do this for me is amazing.”

Ms Stoddart, who taught at the former Henry Smith Grammar School in Hartlepool, lives in the Northallerton area and maintains an active social life, which includes regular trips to the cinema.

She also remains active with the odd spot of gardening - including the back-breaking demands of weeding and pruning – and is a devotee of crosswords.

Ms Stoddart, who used to go to the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough for check-ups now has her appointments closer to home, at the Friarage.

“The importance of being able to come here for treatment as opposed to James Cook is immeasurable,” she said.

Dr Manvikar said: “She has a very positive attitude to life which is very infectious. We in the eye department feel privileged to be looking after her eyesight that has allowed her to keep her independence.”