IT was a happy day for Irene Hathaway of Sticklepath, pictured, when she celebrated her 101th birthday last week.

Irene moved to Sticklepath more than 35 years ago with her husband from Oxford to establish a smallholding. A great-great grandmother, she still lives in her own home.

While her family were not able to visit on her birthday because of the coronavirus restrictions, care workers from Devon and Cornwall Care Services (DACCS), who visit her daily, made the day special.

DACCS assistant manager Sam Hilton said: ‘Irene would probably have had her family around for a bit of a do as I know she did for her 100th, but because of the current situation she couldn’t which is why the girls put some money in and we went and her got her some chocs and flowers.’

They also brought plants given by the shop at Sourton Services where Sam stopped on the way to visit Irene. ‘When I explained that my lady is 101 they went and told the manager and I came out with two pot plants!’ said Sam. ‘Irene loved her pot plants, she thought it was wonderful.’