A FORMER seamstress who was born when the British Army were battling in First World War trenches has celebrated her 100th birthday.

Ethel Almond was joined by her family and friends to open her telegram from the Queen and homemade cards from schoolchildren visiting her Ingleby Barwick care home.

The centenarian was born in London in April 1917 and worked in a sewing shop in Piccadilly before having two children with her husband of 27 years after the couple move to Scotland aged 22.

Mrs Almond was widowed aged 49 and relocated to Middlesbrough to work as a pot washer in a school where she later became a cook.

She retired in 1982 and elected to have a mastectomy following a devastating breast cancer diagnosis aged 80 when she said: “You’re never too old. It’s only over if you think it’s over.”

Two decades on from her diagnosis and Mrs Almond lives in the Ingleby Care Home, off Lamb Lane, in Thornaby, where she welcomed Ingleby Barwick Town Mayor Councillor Stefan Barnes to her birthday party.

Pupils from St Therese Primary School also visited Mrs Almond to present her with birthday treats.

Carol Singleton, home manager at Ingleby Care Home, said: “Ethel is one of our oldest residents but she only joined us in 2016 – after a short stay while her daughter was on holiday.

“She enjoyed her time here so much she decided to stay and is now one of the biggest characters in the home. She’s full of life and really enjoyed celebrating her birthday.”