A WOMAN has celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by family and friends.

Born in Sherburn Village in 1919, Rene Wragge attended Durham Girls Grammar School until the age of sixteen where she went on to college in London where she studied Physical Education.

She returned to Durham and taught at Darlington High School.

She met her husband, Norman, at a local tennis club, the couple married at St Cuthbert’s Church in 1943 and went onto to have two children.

After forty years of marriage, Mr Wragge passed away, but she continued to live in their home until she moved into Melbury Court in Durham in August 2017.

The centenarian attributes her long life to keeping fit and walking and she was a member of rambling group for over thirty years.

To celebrate her special day, Mrs Wragge’s friends and family came to spend the day with her, including her grandson, who came from America for the celebrations.

Melbury Court manager Nicola Coulson said: “We were delighted to be able to share Rene’s special day with her. She is such an amazing lady and it was great to see her celebrating such a memorable birthday.”