ELAINE CLIFFE-WHINNEY will be the toast of the community today as she marks her centenary year with her family.
The great-grandmother lives independently in the village of Stokesley, where she has been known for years for her love of gardening and drama.
She also took an art class in Nunthorpe.
Mrs Whinney, who is known to friends as Cliffe, was born in Albert Terrace, Middlesbrough, in 1908, to Charles and Esther Cliffe - the youngest of three daughters.
At the age of 16 she met and fell in love with Alfred Whinney and they married nine years later at St Barnabas Church in the town.
Her husband was a timber importer and they bought land in Guisborough Road, Nunthorpe, where they built their first house. There, they had three children, Angela, Robin and Sandra. Mr Whinney died more than 20 years ago.
Mrs Whinney has nine grandchildren and 15 greatgrandchildren.
Still in great health, the 100- year-old said: "There is no secret. I have never smoked and have never been a big drinker. I think you should just eat what you like and what suits you."
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