A WOMAN believed to be one of the oldest people in the region has celebrated her 106th birthday.

Lillian Bell, of Moorlands Care Home, Darlington, celebrated the milestone on Saturday with her children, Barry, 64, Nancy Hutchinson, 72, and John, 76, who had travelled from his home in New Zealand.

Staff at the care home held a "This is Your Life" event and relived some of the events in Mrs Bell's life.

Darlington Mayor Ron Lewis and the Mayoress, his wife Margaret, also attended the party.

Mrs Hutchinson said: "She thoroughly enjoyed her day and was chatting away to the Mayor and Mayoress. She was in great spirits, her mind is fully there. She is a bit deaf and has to walk with a frame but other than that she is in excellent health.

"I'm sure we'll be celebrating her birthday again next year if she carries on the way she is, and, hopefully, for some years to come.

"I don't think she is the oldest person in the region but she is definitely one of the oldest. She was always a country girl and I think that has helped her good health. She has also never smoked or drank."

Mrs Bell, who has 11 grandchildren and is a great grandmother, ran a Sunday newsagents business from her home in Widdowfield Street for many years.