CELEBRATING a century can be tiring work.

But Sadie Pyne, who lives at Gainsborough House, had plenty of friends and family to help her raise a glass to toast her 100th birthday on April 24.

Sadie grew up in Essex but came to Warrington with her husband, Charles, who worked in the accounting department for Thames Water Board mills.

The couple first moved to Paddington in 1955 with their young daughter Jill before moving to Walton.

Jill, who helped organise the centenary celebrations for her mother, said: “The three of us made the move to Warrington and have been here since - mum worked in different secretarial jobs.

“We have always been a very close family.

“I don’t think there have been any special secrets to a long life for mum.

“But after she retired she enjoyed doing lots of gardening and she has travelled to France a lot with me and my husband.

“She has also had a very long and close relationship with a friend in Canada and she has been out there to visit several times.”

Sadie, who has no grandchildren, was given a party at her home and deputy mayor Cllr Les Morgan visited to wish her many happy returns.

Friends brought flowers, balloons, cards and a cake to the Gainsborough Road centre.

And Sadie received a letter of congratulations from the Queen.

But daughter Jill added: “She had a lovely time, we all did, but of course I think it was a bit overwhelming for her.”