A West Cumbrian woman has celebrated her 100th birthday.

Evelyn Wilson spent her milestone birthday surrounded by family and friends.

She enjoyed a small party at Bethshan Nursing Home where she is a resident, and is also looking forward to another party at her youngest son David's house, next weekend.

Evelyn has lived in Whitehaven her whole life. She grew up on Kells then moved to Bransty with her family when she was 15.

She met her husband John when she was 20 and they married at St Bridget's Church, Low Moresby, in 1942. They set up home on Esk Avenue and had four children - John, Philip, Margaret and David.

Evelyn worked at the Beehive in Whitehaven and later, London and Manchester Ladies Outfitters.

She carried out war service making aeroplane parts at High Duty Alloys, Lillyhall, while her husband went to war.

In 1969 she decided to go back to work after having her children. She studied childcare at Carlisle College and then took a job at Wedgewood Children's Home in Whitehaven.

She retired in 1981 with her husband, who sadly died seven years later. She continued to live at Esk Avenue and enjoyed gardening, walking her dogs and attending church service at St Begh's.

At the age of 90, Evelyn got her first passport and travelled to France with her eldest son John and his wife, Irene, to visit Chartres Cathedral.

She moved to Bethshan Nursing Home in 2012. John said she thinks of the nursing staff and carers "as her extended family".

As well as her four children, Evelyn has five granddaughters and four grandsons, who are aged between 12 and 46, and 11 great grandchildren.

John describes his mother as "a very strong-willed, determined lady".

While her son David said: "She's very generous. She's quiet but funny - she's got a great sense of humour.

"She's a very private person and doesn't like a lot of fuss."

John added that his mother reaching her milestone birthday was "marvellous" and a "great achievement".