A Kilkeel woman has turned 100.

Margaret Banford was born in 1926 to David and Martha Boyd on Woodvale Road in Belfast. She later worked at her grandmother’s Post Office on the same road, then trained as a comptometer operator, a role she performed at Shorts and later at Stormont.

In June 1950 she married Gilmour Banford. The couple moved to Kilkeel shortly afterwards and settled on Newcastle Road. They had two sons, Tom and Sam. Mrs Banford now has four grandchildren and a growing number of great-grandchildren.

In earlier years she sold eggs and strawberries to neighbours and local shops, and was active in the local Women’s Institute, known for contributing baked goods to events. She enjoys travel and recalls a safari as a favourite holiday.

On 22 May, family and friends gathered at the Kilmorey Arms Hotel in Kilkeel to celebrate her birthday. Among those who visited her during the period were Rev W Bingham, assistant minister E Hanna, Dr Ian McNie representing the Moderator of the General Assembly, Rev D A Mullan, and elders of Mourne Presbyterian Church. Relatives travelled from Australia and England to attend.

Mrs Banford continues to live in Kilkeel.