ONE of her earliest memories is of reading newspaper billboards proclaiming the sinking of the Titanic.

That is just one of the momentous events which Jane O'Neill has lived through during the past century. For Mrs O'Neill, of Brambles Farm, Marske, celebrates her 100th birthday tomorrow.

Her three children, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren will be there to mark the occasion. Her family came to South Shields from Ireland, before moving to Hartlepool and Middlesbrough.

She worked at the Vaux Brewery plant, in Middlesbrough, before marrying Belfast-born James, who died in 1965. Mrs O'Neill had daughter Marie, now 71, and later went to work at Acklam steel works, until she had sons Patrick, now aged 59, and Terry, 56.

The family fell in love with Brambles Farm, but were dismayed to learn they needed a £25 deposit to buy it.

But as Irish luck would have it, Patrick won £25 on a horse and the family moved in.

Mrs O'Neill still lives in the house with her daughter. Miss O'Neill said: "She doesn't believe in alcohol or smoking, but doesn't mind other folk enjoying themselves. She believes plenty of good food and a quiet life is the key to a long life."