WHEN Elsie Bainbridge was born, George V was on the throne, suffragette Emmeline Pankhurst was languishing in prison and there were horses and carts on the streets.

For Mrs Bainbridge has just celebrated her 102nd birthday and marked the occasion with a special lunch with family and close friends at Bannatyne’s Hotel in Darlington.

A Darlingtonian born and bred, Elsie Bainbridge first hit the headlines back in 2007 when, aged 94, she was lucky to survive being hit by a stolen pick-up truck that smashed into a Darlington bus shelter.

Mrs Bainbridge, who suffered multiple fractures and breaks in the incident, fought her way back to recovery within nine months and now, nearly eight years later, remains as active and independent as possible.

She moved to The Lawns car home on Ridsdale Street last year and Robynne Monkman, personal activities leader at the home, said she was always keen to involve herself in social events, particularly the bingo and the armchair exercises.

Mrs Bainbridge, who worked as a dressmaker in her younger years, was a Girl Guide Captain for 40-years and remains a member of the association’s Trefoil Guild.

She was also a keen member of the Eastbourne Methodist Church her daughter said she remains a very sociable person who “can’t understand” why people would not want to join in social activities.

Mrs Bainbridge has four children, three grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Her previous words of wisdom for anybody wanting to enjoy a long and happy life include the advice to “always be yourself”.