GREAT grandmother Florence Davies, who is known to friends as Di, celebrated her 100th birthday on Tuesday, March 23.

A huge gathering of family and friends met at Walter Preston Court in Cashes Green, where Mrs Davies has lived since the residential care home opened in 1990.

It was a goal of Mrs Davies, who lives a fairly active life, to reach 100-years-old.

"I feel very popular today," she said.

"I was thrilled to receive a letter from the Queen and have all my friends and family here."

Mrs Davies was born and raised in Stanley Downton near King's Stanley and was one of five children - three boys and two girls.

She attended Leonard Stanley Primary School and on leaving secondary school aged 14 worked at the Stonehouse Paper & Bag Mills followed by several other jobs before retiring from Woolworths where she worked part-time.

She married the late Sidney Davies on August 31, 1935 and they had three children, Colin, Elaine and the late John, and she now has seven grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.