A BELOVED 100-year-old celebrated her birthday surrounded by friends and family yesterday (Saturday, April 30).

Darlington woman Renee Dougan marked her centenary with a visit from the town’s mayor, Cllr Tom Nutt, and a day of celebrations.

Mrs Dougan’s family joined staff and residents at the Oak Lodge Care Home to wish the former seamstress a happy birthday.

The 100-year-old was born in Darlington in 1916 and became a skilled seamstress in her home town, making uniforms for hospital workers.

A life-long love of travel saw Mrs Dougan take her sewing machine wherever she went, allowing her to make costumes and uniforms for those she met along the way.

She eventually moved to Sussex to be with her devoted husband, Alf, whose untimely death prompted a move home for his wife.

Mrs Dougan then lived with her sister Margaret before a diagnosis of dementia led to her living at Oak Lodge.

Care home manager Sharon Cummings spoke highly of the popular resident and said staff had given up days off to attend her birthday party.

She added: “Renee’s very chatty, she’s an absolutely lovely woman and you would never think she was 100.

“She’s had a great day and loved the celebrations.”