A FORMER teacher has celebrated her 105th birthday with friends and family at her Frinton care home.

Cathleen Brayley reached the rare milestone on Wednesday February 20.

She was born in Portland, Dorset, but worked her way towards Essex over the years as she moved around for different teaching roles.

Cathleen retired from teaching after many years as head at Highland Primary School in Ilford before moving towards Frinton.

She has lived at Frintondene Care Home for the last two years, and celebrated her birthday there with family and friends.

Some family members are making their way over from Australia for the occasion.

Frintondene manager Elizabeth Lambert said: “Until she was 100 she used to go over to Australia all on her own to visit her family. She is amazing.

“Cathleen is a really lovely lady. She is friendly and everyone loves her. She has a really quirky sense of humour and makes us all laugh.

“It is a pleasure having her here and celebrating such a special milestone with her.”