IF 103-year-old Elizabeth Forsyth needed help blowing out her candles, it was very close at hand.

For her 72-year-old daughter, Pat Carruthers, has given her the perfect present by moving into the same Teesside nursing home.

The pair, who until last year were both living in Leeds, are now sharing at Helen McArdle care home in Ayresome Court, Yarm.

Mrs Forsyth moved there last year to be near the Sedgefield home of her granddaughter, Karen Webb.

But when Mrs Carruthers was moved to another North-East care home the family decided they should be together so mother and daughter were recently reunited.

To celebrate Mrs Forsyth's 103rd birthday, manager Maureen Robson organised a buffet lunch and invited the home's residents and staff, as well as all of Mrs Forsyth's family.

She said: "Elizabeth does not like too much fuss or noise so we thought it would be perfect to lay on all her favourite foods and invite her friends and family to celebrate her birthday.

"Elizabeth and Pat are the only mother and daughter relationship we have and it is great to see them enjoy their twilight years living together under the same roof."

She also went on to thank Sainsbury's Savacentre in Stockton, which donated a cake, champagne and flowers.