Great-grandmother Hilda Lawton was full of festive cheer on Christmas Day as it also marked her 100th birthday.

And her celebrations came early when her family threw her a party on Friday. Well wishers and friends joined the celebrations at Ingham Old Hall Care Home, where Mrs Lawton is a resident, to congratulate her on her landmark birthday.

Her granddaughter Toni, from Norwich, said ahead of her party: 'I know when nana was a child she only ever got one present, not two, and that had to do for both (Christmas and birthday).

'She's swamped in them now and I think she's looking forward to getting a card from the Queen.'

Mrs Lawton was born in Hull and shunted railway engines in the dockyards during the war, while her husband James served in the Eighth Army.

Her son Brian moved to Norfolk with his work in the oil industry and when James passed away 20 years ago she moved to Stalham to be closer to her family. Mrs Lawton later moved to Ingham around four years ago.

But her landmark birthday is not the only celebration the Lawton family will be marking this festive season, as Brian turns 75 tomorrow and Molly - one of Mrs Lawton's two great-granddaughter's - turned 14 on Christmas Eve.

Her second grandchild Adam, who moved to Australia 15 years ago, also flew over from his home in Brisbane to join in the celebrations with his daughter Lucy, 17.

Toni, 48, said: 'It's a busy time but it's quite nice really to have it all thrown into one. It means we have all got an excuse to be together for quite a while and invite others along to join in with us, which is always fun.

'Everyone gets separate Christmas and birthday presents - they all do terribly well.

'It's a landmark year with nana's 100th year, my dad's 75th year, my daughter's birthday and my brother coming back from Australia - it's just a nice time to celebrate.'