A 90-year-old's birthday brought more than just a few surprises after her smoke alarm and the fire service were triggered into action by the 90 candles which had been lit to mark the celebration.

Gill Jane told the Sutton Guardian that the firefighters who responded to the alarm which automatically calls the emergency services joined in the festivities being held for her mother, Elsie.

The family had gathered at Elsie's home in Cavendish Road, Sutton, on March 1 and to mark the occasion, 90 candles had been lit and placed around the room.

But much to the surprise of the partygoers, the hi-tech smoke alarm sounded and automatically brought a response from the firefighters at Wallington station.

There was nothing for the family and friends to do but wait for the smoke alarm to be switched off.

"We all sat there and waited as the alarm was so loud,"

said Mrs Jane, who lives in Cheam. "But we turned the lights off and then watched the 90 candles all twinkling in the dark."

She added: "They the firefighters were fantastic. They came in and said happy birthday to her and we had a photograph taken with the firefighters, my mother and her granddaughter.

"Everyone was laughing. It was certainly a 90th birthday which the 30 guests will never forget."

However, she stressed there are currently no plans to light 100 candles for Elsie's centenary.

"We're going to wait for the centenary and thought we would have 100 torches instead because electricity isn't going to trigger a smoke alarm," said Mrs Jane.

She also added her thanks to the firefighters for being so understanding.