A 108-YEAR-OLD pensioner, who has lived through three centuries, yesterday became the newest and oldest trade union member in the country.

Margaret Bridgewood, of Homeside, Westoe Village, South Shields, was conferred with an honorary membership of Unison by its general secretary Rodney Bickerstaffe.

At a ceremony in South Shields Town Hall, Margaret was also presented with a certificate by regional Trade Union Council chairman Gill Hale.

Margaret was given her specially-made Unison membership card for work she is preparing to carry out for Beamish Museum, County Durham, recording her memories for posterity.

The museum is also hoping to add a bakery to its collection and Margaret will be advising them how they used to be run.

Born on June 10, 1892, Margaret has lived her whole life in South Shields.

She left school at 12 to work in her father's bakery and during the First World War worked at the Post Office - screening parcels sent to German prisoners of war.

She then became a house mother at Cleadon Cottages, in Cleadon, and married when she was 40.

When Margaret was born, Newcastle United was founded, Queen Victoria was on the throne, William Gladstone was Prime Minister and author JR Tolkien of The Hobbit fame was born.

Margaret, who was 26 when women got the vote in 1918, said: "I am delighted with this honour. I never meant to live this long."