A GREAT, great grandmother who has 30 great-grandchildren is celebrating her 100th birthday today (Tuesday, December 9).

Nancy Cooke said she feels ‘no different’ after becoming a centenarian.

The mother of six, who worked as a hairdresser for many years, said she loves spending time with her family and was surprised to see them for her birthday celebrations.

“I had no idea they were all coming, it was a lovely surprise. I’ve even got a birthday card from the queen which is wonderful.

“I don’t feel any different now that I’m 100, I just feel the same.”

Mrs Cooke, whose mother lived till she was 99, married her husband in St Catherine’s Church in Crook in 1932.

Together they had six children and lived in a family home in Milburn Street, Crook, where Mrs Cooke lived for more than 80 years.

Mrs Cooke now has 16 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and 12 great-great-grandchildren.

William Cooke, Mrs Cooke’s son, said: “Mum is the first person in the family to reach 100. We had a big party for her on Sunday, all of the different generations travelled up here and we had a lovely day, it was marvellous.”