A FORMER shop worker who spent years working in Bishop Auckland’s town centre is celebrating her 102nd birthday today (Tuesday August 5).

Doris Pentland, who lives in Barrington Lodge Care home, worked in a fruit and vegetable shop in Newgate Street.

She was born in Bishop Auckland to parents Florence and John in 1912, and lived in the same house at Chatsworth Avenue, for more than sixty years.

Her father fought in the First World War and died from his injuries when she was a teenager.

Mrs Pentland married her husband, Frank, on June 1, 1935, and together they had a son, Colin. Mr Pentland died in 1993.

She said: “I had a lovely man, he was a good husband and he played the violin in a band. We used to go to Switzerland every year where he would paint pictures.”

Now a great-grandmother, Mrs Pentland enjoys reading Catherine Cookson novels and lifestyle magazines.

Colin Pentland, 69, said: “I just can’t believe that she’s 102, she’s as fit as me.”

Granddaughter Alison Clarke, 44, added: “I have lovely memories of going round on a Sunday afternoon for tea. We would have cream cheese and pineapple sandwiches. I hope I do half as well as she has.”