ONE of the region's oldest residents celebrated her 107th birthday quietly last week.

Great-grandmother Annie Pattison shared a cake with friends at the Castle Bank Residential Home in Tow Law, where she was feted with cards and flowers.

Her grandson, Ulsterman Raymond Finlay, paid his regular birthday visit and other well-wishers called in.

Mrs Pattison was born on St George's Day 1895 in the tiny hamlet of Salter's Gate, moving to Tow Law as an 18-year-old bride into her late husband Jack's hairdresser's shop.

All of their four children, three daughters and a son, were born in the village but have now died.

Now she is the toast of the home. Manager June Pearson said: "We thinks she must be the oldest person in County Durham. She is a character and she keeps us on our toes. She is lovely."