A FORMER tailoress has celebrated her 100th birthday.

Friends, family and local politicians have all visited Hilda Mary Close to help celebrate.

Mrs Close was born and brought up in Stanley, County Durham. After leaving school, she followed in her grandfather's footsteps and became a qualified tailor, working for Batson's, in Stanley.

She married highways supervisor Ted in 1931, and the couple settled in Burnhope.

She was a member of the local Mothers' Union and the Women's Institute, and supported her husband as he became a councillor on Lanchester Rural District Council.

She moved to Lynwood House, in Lanchester, a residential home run by Durham County Council, in 1999.

Among those who visited to wish her a happy birthday were North West Durham MP Hilary Armstrong, whose father was friends with Ted. Other visitors included the chairman of Derwentside District Council and the president of the Lions club.

Her only child, Tom, who lives in Chester-le-Street, was among the family who gathered at the home for a party.

He said: "She really enjoyed her day and was enthralled by it all. The family were there and she got an awful lot of flowers and cards."