EVELYN Clark celebrated her 100th birthday on September 2, and was overjoyed to receive a card from The Queen.

Miss Clark, a former electricity board worker in High Wycombe, celebrated her birthday in Meadowside Residential Home, Marlow, with around 30 to 40 friends.

The party was arranged with the help of the home who staged the gathering in their communal lounge. This was decorated specially for Miss Clark, who has lived at the home for four years.

As well as the birthday card from The Queen, Miss Clark received a telegram from work and pensions secretary, David Blunkett.

She spent most of her life in Dashwood Avenue, High Wycombe, after moving as a girl from Lincolnshire. She told the Free Press: "It was lovely, absolutely fantastic. I knew I would get a telegram but it was still nice."

Asked what it felt like to be 100-years-old, she said: "Sometimes I think it's great. You get a few aches and pains, but I'm okay."

Friends poured champagne and toasted her health at the party in Little Marlow Road. Friend Celia Judge, said: "She was quite amused to receive the telegram. She also had a visit from the vicar of Little Marlow church. She had lots of presents including bouquets of flowers and chocolates."

Donna Wood, deputy manager of Meadowside, said: "She was overjoyed so many people turned up."

A special birthday lunch was later held on September 4, at the Clifton Lodge Hotel in High Wycombe, where around 24 friends attended.

Miss Clark, who was born into a family of five, said she had mainly enjoyed spending time with friends throughout her life.