A GREAT-GRANDMOTHER was joined by some of Darlington’s VIPs as she celebrated her 100th birthday.

The mayor and mayoress of Darlington, Charles and Carol Johnson joined Edna Grey at a party at Elderwood care home, in Westmoreland Street, to celebrate her landmark anniversary.

Around 50 friends and family from across the country also joined in the festivities, which included a buffet and sing-a-long.

Mrs Grey was born in Mildred Street, Darlington, in 1914 and has lived in the town ever since.

She left Arthur Pease School aged 15 and began working in a fruit and vegetable shop, before moving to tobacconists, Find It Out, in Tubwell Row where she met her husband, Arthur.

The couple married in 1944 and had two children, Alan, 68, and Laraine, 69.

She has six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Mrs Grey was also one of the thousands of women who worked in munitions factories during the Second World War, dubbed the Aycliffe Angels.

Her daughter-in-law Margaret Grey said: “It was such a lovely day, and to have the mayor and mayoress attend was just the icing on the cake –we really appreciated it.

“Edna is in good health and has a good quality of life at the care home. When you get to 100 you just want to enjoy life, and she is. She is very much in charge at the care home.”

Mrs Grey also brought her seven-year-old Lhasa Apso, Alma, to the party.

“Alma is Edna’s other grandchild, she absolutely loves her. We couldn’t have a party without her,” she said.