BIRTHDAY girl Mabel is truly old Labour.

Mabel Raine, believed to be the oldest member of the Labour Party in County Durham, has just celebrated her 103rd birthday.

Born in Bradford on August 16, 1911, Mrs Raine was married to the late Wilfred, a radio and television engineer, for 54 years.

Her working life began in the mills of Yorkshire, before she became a school dinner lady in Lancashire.

Mrs Raine and her husband enjoyed cycling and were well known around the Yorkshire Dales for riding a tandem.

Mrs Raine now lives at The Grange, Old Quarrington, County Durham, and she celebrated her birthday, as she has done for each once since reaching 100, with a fish and chip lunch with family and friends at The Old Mill, Metal Bridge.

She also received a visit from John Robinson, chairman of Durham County Council, who presented her with a basket of flowers.

Cllr Robinson said: “What an absolutely love lady Mabel is. She recalled some wonderful tales and it was a great delight to be part of her special day.”