VIOLET Shrive celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by friends and serenaded by a singer belting out classic hits.

The centenarian has been a resident at Four Seasons Care Home, in Rodbourne since 2005, after moving there from Wootton Bassett.

Deirdre King, the care manager at the home, said: "She left home at 13 to work with Hatton Garden Jewellers where, according to Violet, the owners treated her like a daughter.

"She married her first husband in 1933 and had two children, Doreen and Fred.

"Doreen passed away just before Violet arrived at Four Seasons and Fred lives in Wootton Bassett with his family.

"She also has a foster son, Michael, who was a friend of her son and moved in with them in 1949.

"Her husband was in the Navy and was called away to the North Sea Run and Violet then lived in Catford at a munitions factory during the war.

"We know that her husband died in 1958 and in 1959 she re-married to Randall Shrive, who died in 1968.

"In 1976 she moved to Wootton Bassett to live near her son Fred and his wife and then, after being in a care home in Wootton Bassett, she arrived to stay with us in 2005."

She added: "Violet has always been special to us. She's been quite a character and has had a few moments, but she's very special.

"She used to recite poetry to us every now and then. She's been enjoying the celebrations and seemed quite shocked that she'd reached 100.

"She's had her telegram from the Queen, which she's pleased about. She kept saying she couldn't believe she was 100."