SHE may be getting on in years, but Margaret Dunn looked sprightly at her 100th birthday party yesterday.

The centenarian was joined by family and friends as she celebrated her birthday at Springfield House residential home, in Stokesley, North Yorkshire.

Mrs Dunn, who was born in Tyneside in 1902, left school aged 12 to become a housemaid. She married her husband, Philip, when she was 20 and the couple had a son, who died in infancy, and a daughter, Freda.

She moved to Great Broughton, near Stokesley, 30 years ago and lived alone there after being widowed. She moved into the Springfield home last year.

Freda, 72, said her mother had been inundated with flowers and presents on her big day.

"It's all been quite overwhelming, but she has had a lovely time and everyone has thoroughly enjoyed themselves," she said.

Mrs Dunn has two granddaughters and five great-grandchildren, aged between seven and 17.