BETTY Morton and Betty Smith grew up on opposite sides of Glasgow and led very different lives.

But this week, the two women – who are now friends and neighbours – celebrated their 100th birthdays together in style.

The two Bettys live at a sheltered housing complex in Rutherglen on Glasgow’s South Side.

The team at the complex threw a big party for friends and family and special guests included South Lanarkshire Provost Ian McAllan and Depute Lieutenant John McKenzie.

Only child Betty Morton was born in Springburn in December 1918. She left school at the age of 14, to work in Robert Simpson and Sons hardware and clothing shop on Jamaica Street – which ultimately became House of Fraser.

After training as a shorthand typist then a bookkeeper, Betty spent her entire working life with the department store, retiring aged 60 in 1978. She moved to Rutherglen in 2005.

Betty married Alex in 1951, with whom she had one daughter, June, born in 1956. The family loved to holiday on home shores and enjoyed memorable times on the Moray Firth coast.

A sports fanatic, Betty loves watching football, snooker and darts and her secret to a long life is to keep her mind sharp by watching quiz shows.

“My favourites are University Challenge and Mastermind,” she smiles.

Betty Smith, who will turn 100 on Valentine’s Day, was born in Partick, one of seven children. She also left school aged 14, when she got a job with biscuit giants Gray and Dunn.

After getting married to Jim, Betty moved to Oxford where the couple ran a successful hotel business until they moved back to Scotland, ultimately settling in Rutherglen in 1994.

A keen sequence dancer in her younger days, Betty is a huge fan of Strictly Come Dancing and she is an avid reader.

Provost McAllan said: “I have visited a number of 100-year-olds across South Lanarkshire over the last 18 months, and I have learned something different from each of these encounters.

“Today, however, was an even more significant and thought-provoking event, focused on two women with fascinating life stories who have become neighbours and friends at this stage of their lives.

“Their stories of hard work, determination and family, are genuinely fascinating and inspirational. Their example is one to aspire to every day and an uplifting way to begin another New Year. I wish them both continued health and happiness.”