A GREAT-GREAT grandmother celebrating her 100th birthday today (Monday, May 11) was delighted when her favourite television personality Paul O’ Grady congratulated her on his tv programme.

Phyllis Cooper of Yew Terrace, Langley Park, near Durham, was watching the show with family and friends when she was given the on-air greeting.

Her daughter Ann Hollamby said: “We are all absolutely delighted that he wished her. We emailed and asked if he would but didn’t know whether it would happen.

“My mother has a really bright mind and loves watching her television shows. He is one of her favourites.”

Mrs Cooper was born in Lillian Terrace, Langley Park, and moved to nearby Witton Gilbert with her parents where they lived for a while, before they moved back to Langley Park’s Aged Miners Cottages.

She married John Cooper in the village’s All Saints Church in 1938. Her husband volunteered to join the Royal Navy shortly before the Second World War and went away to serve on several minesweepers.

While he was away at sea Mrs Cooper bought a house in Yew Terrace, where she still lives.

Her husband, who worked as fitter at the Langley Park Colliery, died in 1981.

Mrs Cooper is helped by her daughter, as well as her son Jackie and his wife Carol

She has has five grand children, 11 great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.