Double celebration for friends who turned 100 and 101

The women, who are residents of the county town's Grassington House care home, celebrated with a joint party and afternoon tea attended by their family and friends.

Born in Leicester, Rene had eight brothers and sisters and was the youngest child.

She met her husband whilst punting on a canal near the boathouse, and got married when she was just 16 in a registry office in the city.

Mrs Shenton worked at a shoe factory, later having daughter Molly Baker.

Now she has two granddaughters Christine Grecton and Jenny Blacknell, and five great-grandchildren - Megan, Mollie, Hannah, Rebecca and Kathryn.

Her granddaughter Jenny said Mrs Shenton enjoyed her special day and received plenty of cards and presents, adding: "She is a very caring and thoughtful lady.

"She moved down from Leicester to be near me and my husband and the great-grandchildren.

"She's very good on her pins and she absolutely adores singing."

The eldest of 10 children, Mrs Tranter was born in Acton in London and spent her early years in Hampton, Middlesex.

She was engaged at 18 until her fiancée was killed in the Second World War when she was 25.

She continued living with her fiancée's family after this time but eventually moved to Dorset, where she worked as a fashion buyer in a local department store.

Mrs Tranter retired at 60 and became involved with a charity supplying electrical devices to disabled people.

She later became the organisation's appeal secretary, raising many thousands of pounds, and then became its vice president and director during her time with the group, which included the opportunity to meet Prince Philip.

Gladys' nieces Yvonne and Teresa Moors visited the centenarian to celebrate her birthday, and her sister Molly White also came to share in the special day.

Yvonne said of Gladys: "She's a lovely lady and is very happy with her lot; she has enjoyed the day and has had lots of cards including her telegram from the Queen."