A COUNCIL care home which has been saved from closure had a double reason to celebrate this week.

Jenny Henderson's 100th birthday party at Hackworth House, in Shildon, came days after a public meeting in the town heard a pledge from Durham County Council leader Albert Nugent that the care home and two others - East Green, in West Auckland and Lynwood House, Lanchester, would stay open.

Councillor Nugent's stance on the care home issue won him the leadership election against Bishop Auckland member Ken Manton last month.

Mrs Henderson's daughter, Marion, who lives with her in Jubilee Road, Shildon, said: "It is brilliant news that Hackworth House is staying open. Mum has been coming here three days a week for 13 years and loves it. She sometimes has respite care and it gives me a break."

Shildon councillor Vernon Chapman and the county's chairman, Ernie Foster, presented Mrs Henderson with flowers.

Coun Chapman said: "Hackworth House is not going to close. If we can't afford to look after our old folks, we have no business being in the job.

"The main functions for the county councils should be education and social care. We should not lose sight of that.

"We are more expensive than private homes because we employ qualified staff paid proper rates.

"This is a very happy place. We will make sure that everybody who wants to come here can do so."

Mrs Henderson was born into a large Shildon family. Two of her three sisters lived to 99.

She married her husband, John, in June 1937. During the war she worked at the Shildon Works while her husband was held prisoner in Germany.

She was a member of the Mothers Union at All Saints' Church and in New Shildon women's institute.

In her 90s, she toured Ireland, France and Spain.