A FAMILY will celebrate the 102nd birthday of a well-loved mother.

Beatrice Symes, of Dorchester , will be turning 102 on Friday.

The family will be celebrating by taking a birthday cake to her at Maiden Castle House residential home, where she lives, and having a small party.

Robert Symes, Beatrice’s son, of Duchy Close, Dorchester said: “The nursing home usually makes a big effort to celebrate her birthday.”

Beatrice Symes also has one daughter, Betty Lucas, also of Dorchester.

Their father Richard was often away in the Army while Mrs Symes was the woman railway porter for the Great Western Railway in Dorchester. She also worked for many years at the Trinity Club.

Mr Symes said his mother was getting quite frail but this would not stop her enjoying her party and especially her birthday cake.