The sherry was flowing and partygoers enjoyed cake and food in abundance as 100-year-old Margery Little celebrated her landmark birthday on Tuesday.

Her son, Kerwin Little, 66, said his mother, who is Melksham born and bred, was very happy after friends and family gathered to mark the occasion and she was able to enjoy her favourite tipple of sherry.

He said: “Everything was paid for so we told people to leave their handbags at home and just come and enjoy all the food and drink.

“Mum was happy as she had lots of sherry and she loved seeing everyone. It was brilliant.”

The great-grandmother, who lives with her daughter Glenda Little, 69, in Martigny Road, Melksham, was born in King Street in the town and is the only surviving sibling out of her five other brothers and sisters.

Growing up in Melksham, she went to Fitzmaurice Grammar school in Bradford on Avon and later worked in the offices at Avon Rubber in Bath Road.

After marrying George Little in 1935, the couple moved to Martigny Road in 1938 where she has lived ever since.

She can trace her ancestry back to the mid 17th century in Wiltshire.

Her husband died in 1988 after the couple had six children and Mrs Little now has 11 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

He son Kerwin Little said: “Instead of presents, my sister Glenda suggested people make donations to the Wiltshire Air Ambulance and I could see there was some money in some of the cards. She enjoyed her card from the Queen too.”