GREAT-GRANDMOTHER Ethel Dodridge's family travelled half way round the world to celebrate her 90th birthday.

Ten family members made the journey to Weymouth from their Australian home to mark her nine decades with a special get together.

Other relatives who live in Dorset joined them to make it the family's biggest reunion, with four generations in attendance.

The group of about 30 people enjoyed an evening meal at the Springhead pub in Sutton Poyntz.

Mrs Dodridge, who has lived in Weymouth for more than 30 years and is known as Sally, said she was delighted at seeing almost all her family.

Her daughter Veronica Baker, who emigrated to Australia decades ago and now lives in Canberra, said: "She really enjoyed it and as far as she was concerned it was the more the merrier. It is amazing to have everyone together."

Mrs Dodridge, of Cromwell Road, lived in Southampton before moving to Weymouth with her husband, who passed away in 1976.

Her grandson Craig Croxford has spent the last 18 months living in Weymouth and captaining the town's seconds cricket team.

He said: "There have been lots of young people around and that seems to take 15 years off her. With so many of us living in Australia it's very rare that we see each other. We have met up at weddings but this is the biggest family get together we have ever had. Hopefully we'll do it again for her 100th in 10 years time."