A HOOK resident received a telegram from the Queen this month as she turned 100.

Ruth Ashley who currently resides at Rowan Lodge reached her centenary on December 1, celebrating her birthday with her family by her side.

Mrs Ashley had a birthday week to remember having had four parties, including one with the staff at Rowan Lodge.

Mrs Ashley, who has five grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren was a war-time model and is known for her great sense of humour and she says she enjoys the company of other people.

During the war, Mrs Ashley drove an ambulance in the Blitz before marrying an RAF officer who was posted to the USA.

Despite being hard of hearing, she said she was lucky to have had “reasonable health” and keeps herself active by “trying to complete the crossword in the paper every morning and taking a daily walk round the garden”.

It was shortly after her celebrations that the telegram from Her Majesty arrived, with both women having celebrated milestone birthdays throughout 2016.