A 100-year-old who has seen her family span five generations has put her longevity down to her closest relations.

Lifelong Bicester resident Queenie May Phillips – who was born on April 19, 1915 in a house on North Street – celebrated the occasion with almost 100 family and friends at the Highfield Social Club.

During the Second World War, Mrs Phillips (nee Butler) worked as a cleaner for the Women’s Land Army Hostel at Highfield Social Club in Bicester during, while her late husband Frank Phillips, who was originally from Thame, was stationed with the Royal Artillery.

The pair had married at the Oxford Register office in 1936. Mr Phillips passed away in 1971.

Mrs Phillips worked as a cleaner at Oliver Gilbes for 25 years after the war and had three sons Ron, Frank and John. They have provided her with six grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren.

The entire family turned out to celebrate the occasion and Mrs Phillips, who now lives with 25-year-old great grandson Troy Phillips, said she owes her good health in old age to those surrounding her on the night to whom .

The former St Mary’s Catholic School pupil said: “If you have got a good family round you then that is half the battle, but the rest is what you do with yourself and my advice is to just carry on like you always do through hard work and worry.”

Grandson Adam Phillips, 52, who has lived in Bicester his whole life and has four children, said: “She is very jovial and very fit for her age. She is fantastic and if there is anything she can do for you she will do it.

“I think the secret to her longevity keeping fit and being active. She loves cleaning and a lot of walking when she can do it. I think she is an inspiration to everyone. She still reads all the time and does a lot of knitting. She says she does not watch TV because it is a load of rubbish."

“She will read anything from cowboys to thrillers.”