DENISE Wood celebrated her 70th birthday with a cake topped by an edible replica of her old running shoes.

An accomplished sprinter in the 1950s and 1960, Denise was a member of Rockingham Amateur Athletics Club. She saved her pocket money so she could afford her favourite Adidas spiked running shoes.

Denise was back in Hoyland Common, for her party at the Rockingham Centre on April 5. Her husband Allan, of Kirk Balk, Hoyland, said: "She knew she was having a party and that I had organised a cake, but didn't know the theme. Imagine her surprise on Saturday night when she saw it."

 

Allan said his wife took part back in the day in the 100 and 220 yard sprints and was anchor in the 4x100 yards relay. She did circuit training in the same hall where her birthday party was held.

"Her shoes must have helped because she won quite a few races while wearing them," said Allan.