FAMILY and friends descended on Ravenstonedale to celebrate Noreen Thwaites turning 100.

The great grandmother has been a resident with Castles & Coasts Housing Association for the past 33 years, after she and husband Richard retired from their farm to the picturesque Cumbrian village in 1986.

The housing association helped Mrs Thwaites - who for decades raised cattle and sheep with her husband in nearby Sedbergh – celebrate the milestone with a huge bouquet of carnations and a hamper of luxury treats.

CCHA Customer Services Manager, Pamela Armstrong, said: “Mrs Thwaites has been a resident of ours for well over three decades and is such a lovely, warm individual. We simply couldn’t let such a significant birthday pass without giving her a small token to mark this special occasion.

“It was great to see so many cards and bouquets of flowers in Mrs Thwaites’ home – she’s clearly much loved and appreciated by her large family.”

Mrs Thwaites, who has five children, 14 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren, said: “It has been a lovely few days and I’ve received some really nice gifts."

A keen knitter, Mrs Thwaites only recently stopped making hand knitted hats and scarves for Christmas charity boxes.

Her daughter, Hazel Pratt, said: “The family have always lived in the same area around Sedbergh and when they retired it was important for my parents to stay where they were happy and part of a community.

“Mum has been so happy in Ravenstonedale for the past 33 years and it’s really nice of Castles & Coasts to provide such a generous gift to mark her 100th birthday.”