PREPARATIONS are being made for a much loved Yarm woman's 100th birthday tomorrow (Saturday, February 13).

Edith Lowther, who is well known in the town as a former active member of the bowling scene, came to Teesside as a Captain in the army.

Her daughter Sarah Barnett, explained her mother, who has three children, eight grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, had lived entirely independently until very recently.

Mrs Barnett said: "Mam was originally from Worcestershire and she had to leave school at nearly 14, despite the teacher saying he wanted her to stay, because her mother was ill.

"She went into service but when the war came she said she'd join the Army if her brother joined up. People said she wouldn't have the guts, but sure enough, she joined when her brother was did. She was a driver, spending a lot of time in Northern Ireland, but left at the end of the war rejoining later on.

"She was posted to Northallerton but had rooms in Saltburn at some stage as a Captain in the army who had her own driver by then. My dad, Harry, was clerk of works at the Territorial Army in the area, and they married when she was 36, in 1952.

"My sister was born in 1953, my other sister in 1956 and I was a surprise when I came along in 1961 when mam was 44."

Mrs Barnett explained her mother eventually took a job at Preston's of Potto, when the now major haulage company at Potto, near Stokesley, amounted to little more than a couple of trucks. As it grew the family moved to Hutton Rudby and the couple retired to Yarm in 1985, with Mr Lowther dying a short time afterwards.

Mrs Lowther, who retired aged 69, became active in the town and was well known in bowling circles.

Family and friends are expected to drop by to Mrs Barnett's home at various points in the day to celebrate Mrs Lowther's birthday and a card is expected from the Queen.