FAMILY members travelled from across the world to celebrate the 100th birthday of a former Goathland resident.

Jenny Barton's four sons, 10 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren gathered for her birthday at 5 Whitby Road care home in Pickering where she now lives.

Four of her family came from British Colombia in Canada and another from New Zealand to celebrate the milestone on January 3.

Mrs Barton, who received a congratulatory card from the Queen, was born in Battersea, London in 1915 and spent her early years working at Streatham Ice rink.

She was a keen ice skater and dancer and would always grab every opportunity to demonstrate her ability to do the splits - the last known demonstration of this was aged 85.

In 1938 she married her childhood sweetheart Harold Barton in Stafford, with the family moving further north to Hull in 1951 and then to Goathland eight years later.

It was here where Mrs Barton said she felt truly at home and lived there until the age of 98 when she finally and very reluctantly gave in to the tide of time and moved into the Pickering care home.

An afternoon party was arranged for Mrs Barton, the highlight of which was a display by the Goathland Plough Stots, a traditional long sword dance team which she and her family had long been firm supporters of.

Pianist Chris Welch also played some old time sing along songs.

Amy Bell, from the care home said: "As well as the many presents and cards, Jenny had a wonderful cake baked for her birthday by Jackie the home’s cook to mark the milestone and a toast was made with her favourite tipple of sherry - a good time was had by all."