Irene Gatoff lives independently in her own bungalow in Newcastle and uses an iPad and Facebook to stay in contact with family and friends from all over the world. And, for her 100th birthday, family members travelled from London, Edinburgh, Manchester, Cambridge and even Australia to join the celebrations.

Mrs Gatoff is an active member of Newcastle Hebrew Congregation, where the weekend kicked off with a Shabbat kiddush.

She is also a regular supporter of Mitzvah Day, sewing blankets for homeless charity Changing Lives.

Among those at the birthday lunch on Sunday were her three children, two of her five grandchildren, two of her seven great-grandchildren and eight nieces and nephews. She was particularly touched to receive a letter of congratulation from Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis.