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This loving grandma and great-grandma has really lived her life to the full.

Born and bred in Hazlerigg, Mary Harle has now spent a century in the area with her family.

Mary is celebrating reaching her milestone 100th birthday in Hazlerigg Social Club this Sunday surrounded by over 70 members of her family and friends.

Mary, who is one of six, fondly remembers the coal trains driving past her home while growing up.

(Image: newcastle chronicle)

After leaving school at 14, Mary met up the owner of the chocolate factory, Lawsons, in Kenton, who gave her a job because of her 'honest face'.

Mary spent six years packaging chocolates and toffees before her sister, Kate, helped her get a job sorting deliveries at the old Woolworths store in Gosforth, where she was paid five shillings a week.

Mary met her soul mate, Allan Harle, when she was 16. She said he used to tease her at bus stop after shifts at Woolworths.

She recalled: "There was a group of boys at the bus stop and one of them started to be cheeky to me. It went on for weeks, he started to annoy me.

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"He then asked me to go to the pictures and we started going on dates and it all started from there.

She added: "Five years later he got called to fight in the war and he said he wanted to get married as soon as we could, as he thought that if he got killed in action that I would have a pension. He was my soul mate and I miss him dearly."

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Mary and Allan had a happy marriage for over 70 years, during which they welcomed six children, including twins Jean and Joan.

With the help of carers, Mary looked after Allan until he passed away in 2011 aged 97.

The loving couple received two telegrams from the Queen for Diamond and Platinum wedding anniversaries and Mary is now looking forward to her third for her special birthday.

Mary stays active and enjoys gardening and goes to bingo twice a week.

(Image: newcastle chronicle)

Mary has a garden full of animal figures and adores the company of her four-legged companion, Queenie the cat.

She said: "I really didn't think I would reach 100. I am just amazed.

"I've had a really good life. My six kids have really kept me busy and definitely kept me going.

"I love my gardening and have grown all my tomatoes this year."

Instead of receiving presents, Mary's daughters, twins Jean and Joan will have a bucket on her birthday party on Sunday to collect money to give to The Newcastle Cat and Dog shelter, a charity close to Mary's heart.