RELATIVES from as far away as Spain travelled to Cross Hills to celebrate a Steeton resident's 100th birthday.

Marion Nicholson, of Stone Grove, was 100 last Wednesday, but her family arranged a party for her in Cross Hills on Sunday.

Mrs Nicholson was born Marion Spedding in Keighley on October 8 1914.

She attended school in Ingrow then went to Eastwood School in Lawkholme. She left school at 14 and worked as a clerk at Burr Sugden solicitors.

She married Steeton man Arnold Nicholson in 1939 and moved to the village, which is where she has lived ever since.

The couple had three sons, Roger, Andrew and Neal. Her husband died in June 1991, and today Mrs Nicholson also has seven grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Some of these family members now live in Australia and also in Barcelona, Spain.

Mrs Nicholson said she enjoyed embroidery and craft work and was a member of the Embroiderers Guild. She used to pass on her craft skills to others by teaching evening classes.

Mrs Nicholson's daughter in law, Margaret Nicholson, said: "She was brought up as a Quaker and she's a very peaceful person. She never seems to get worked up over things and she never has a bad word to say about anybody.

"She was very good at embroidery, she's done some beautiful work. She helped embroider a lectern for Bolton Abbey Church."