CENTENARIAN Louise Perry celebrated her 102nd birthday recently with a surprise party attended by friends and family.

The Bannatyne Lodge Care Home resident did not know she was getting a party until her relatives showed up with cards, cake and balloons.

She was presented with gifts and flowers by fellow residents and staff at the home, in Peterlee, who all wished her well and sang happy birthday.

Mrs Perry, was born in Sunderland, at the height of the First World War, in May 1917, shortly after the US joined the fight against Germany.

She and her late husband, Douglas, had a daughter, Pauline, who is now 78, and four grandchildren, Jeremy, Simon, Adrian and Amber.

Mrs Perry, who has two great grandchildren, said: “I never smoked or drank alcohol but I think the key to a long life is having a good family around you.

“Family has always been an important factor in my life.”

She moved to Bannatyne Lodge Care Home, from Easington, in April.

Home manager Lynn Chapman said: “102 is an incredible age and we were so pleased to celebrate with Louise and her family.

“She had a wonderful day.”