A YORK woman who dedicated many years of her life to voluntary service has celebrated her 100th birthday.

Dorothy Embleton lived in Haxby for nearly 60 years, until she moved to a County Durham residential home in 1996.

Her time in Haxby saw her achieve a silver medal for 25 years service to Dr Barnardo's.

She also won a WRVS long service medal, which was later embellished with a bar.

Dorothy helped launch Haxby's lifeboat appeal and, before the NHS was established, set up a special baby department in the village clinic.

She also spent a period as secretary of the Haxby Pensioners' Association. Her husband John Henry, known as Harry, died in 1967. He had worked as a civil engineer's clerk for British Rail, and was an air raid patrol warden in Haxby during the Second World War.

After Harry's death, she moved out of the couple's York Road home and into a cottage in The Village. Dorothy kept her independence until her badly failing sight prompted her to move to the Darlington home.

Her daughter, Betty, aged 71, today said: "Mum has always loved life and has made a real effort to enjoy it in every way.

"She has real enthusiasm for everything and is in good shape for a 100-year-old.

"Although her sight and hearing are going, she still has all her marbles and is very much loved by the staff where she lives."

Betty said her mother has never smoked, and gave up drinking some time ago.

She said: "I think the fact she has always eaten properly has something to do with her living so long.

"She always cooked herself a decent, proper meal, even when she was on her own. It was part of her staying independent."

Dorothy's birthday was yesterday. She celebrated her achievement with family and friends.

Updated: 11:13 Monday, April 29, 2002