A MUCH-LOVED centenarian and great, great grandmother celebrated her 101st birthday with a bacon butty.

Hilda Smith, celebrated the milestone with family and friends at the Parkville Care Centre, in Middlesbrough where she now lives.

Mrs Smith, who lived in Gresham, central Middlesbrough, until she was 92, once worked at the famous Middlesbrough toy shop, Romer Parrish, on Linthorpe Road.

The middle child of three, her mother died when she was just two-and-a-half years old and she was brought up by her aunt and uncle.

A very bright child, who is still an avid reader today, she went on to win a scholarship to High School although she eventually had to leave to go to work. She was married her husband Harold aged 22 at St Paul’s Church on Newport Road, Middlesbrough and they had two children.

Liz Naylor, a care assistant at the care centre, said a singer, Simon Cain, entertained Mrs Smith, who is widowed, and her family by singing classic old songs at a party.

She said: "She's a really lovely lady with lots of character. She's always talking to the staff and she loves knitting and reading. I think all her family must have come in to see her today."

Mrs Smith was asked by staff at the care home if she wanted anything special for her big day and said she would simply love a bacon sandwich, which is something she enjoys for breakfast every day.