FIVE generations of the same family came together to celebrate a milestone anniversary.

Billy Carter, from Darlington, was surrounded by his family – which spans five generations – as he celebrated his 90th birthday yesterday (Wednesday, February 25).

To mark the occasion, Mr Carter’s daughter, Julie Stephenson, 54, hosted a party at her home in Pendleton Street, Darlington.

The great, great grandfather was joined by daughters Barbara, 63, and Linda, 65, as well as granddaughter Wendy Corrie, 43, great granddaughter Gemma Swales, 26, and great, great granddaughter, five-year-old Lola-Rose Nicholson.

Mrs Stephenson said: “We got the family together and brought him over to mine. He was really chuffed because he doesn’t get out as much as he used to.

“He used to go to the East End Club, in Neasham Road, every afternoon without fail but over the last couple of months he hasn’t been able to.

“He went down south for work and came back around 15, or 20 years ago. His granddaughter, Wendy, has always been very close to him and when he came back they moved to be closer to him.”

Mr Carter was born in Darlington on February 25, 1925, and worked at Cleveland Bridge, in the town, as well as Whessoe and the Bowater Paper Group.

He moved down south for a number of years to work, before returning to Darlington, where he is a lifelong member of the East End Club, in Neasham Road.