A WOMAN who taught herself Braille in her 60s and earned a PhD at the age of 78 has celebrated her 100th birthday.

Madge Hellewell had a limited start to education. As a child she was only allowed to go to school for half days in a bid to save her poor eyesight.

She left school aged 14, in her hometown of Hull.

During the Second World War Mrs Hellewell moved to Saltaire where she met her late husband, George, who died in 2008.

In the 1950s Mrs Hellewell's sight deteriorated, a retina became detached in one eye and the other eye also became damaged.

But she has not let the condition rule her life and taught herself Braille in her 60s. She also completed a degree in psychology at the University of Bradford, with the aid of a dictaphone.

Then, at the age of 78, became a doctor of philosophy in 1992.

Mrs Hellewell marked the landmark occasion at Well Springs Nursing Home, Leylands Lane, Heaton, on Saturday where she has lived for the last four years.

She has two children, Julia Drucquer and Chris Hellewell, two grandchildren and will become a great-grandmother next month.

Mrs Drucquer said: "The party went very well. She had a great time. Mum jokes that the secret to living a long and happy life is not dying."