A GRAND old lady has celebrated her centenary.

Gladys Stirk is now resident at Charles Dickens Lodge, in Barnard Castle, County Durham, but spent much of her life in nearby Staindrop.

One of five children, Mrs Stirk was born in Craddock Street, Spennymoor.

In her early working days, she went into service in Leeds, worked for a doctor in Darlington and then moved to Barnard Castle.

She later worked at Glaxo and then Staindrop School, where she helped out in the kitchen.

Gladys married Charlie Stirk, whose father owned JS Stirk and Sons garage in Staindrop, and he stayed there all his working life apart from completing National Service in the Army.

After tying the knot at the Market Place Chapel, Ferryhill, the couple lived in Winston Lane, Staindrop, then moved to Sudbury Avenue.

They went on to have four children and Mrs Stirk now has 10 grandchildren, six great grandchildren and three great, great, grandchildren.

She was involved with St Mary’s Church, in Staindrop, and used to bake cakes and do the flowers whenever there was a need.

She celebrated her 100th birthday with family and friends and was also visited by the chairman of Durham County Council, Councillor Pauline Charlton, who presented her with a basket of flowers.