A FORMER teacher was feeling top of the class this week when she celebrated her milestone centenary birthday.

Staff and residents toasted Mrs Madge Hall's 100th birthday at the Ash Cottage Residential Home in Edenfield on Tuesday.

Widow Mrs Hall, who has one son, was mayoress of Doncaster in 1954. Her late husband Alfred was a councillor and local Alderman.

Mrs Hall was born in Bradford and in 1913 became a pupil at Hanson Secondary School where she was taught for the next eight years. In 1921, she was one of the first group of women students accepted by Manchester University where she later graduated with a BA degree in maths science. Mrs Hall was guest of honour when the university celebrated its centenary in 1987.

She taught at schools in her native Yorkshire and in 1930 married. Because it was the practice of the time, Mrs Hall had to give up teaching immediately, though she later worked as a supply teacher. Her son Adrian was born in 1941. In 1947, after the Government appealed for teachers, Mrs Hall returned to the profession full time and retired from Hatfield Secondary Modern in 1963.

For many years, she supported her husband in his civic duties and became mayoress of Doncaster in 1954. She helped form a twinning link with a town near Paris. Her husband died in the 1970s and Mrs Hall moved to this area to be with her son and his family in Chatterton, Stubbins.

On Tuesday, to mark her special occasion, Mrs Hall and her guests enjoyed a birthday buffet and she celebrated with a small gin. Her grand-daughter, Mrs Amanda Barlow, said: "She had a really lovely day."