ELSIE Carter celebrated her 100th birthday in style on Mother's Day with her six children and more than 100 guests in East Hanney.

Five generations of the Carter family arrived at the British Legion hall to celebrate Mrs Carter's centenary.

Mrs Carter, from West Hanney, arrived with birthday balloons attached to her wheelchair and was holding a birthday greeting from The Queen.

She said: "I'm having a lovely day with all my family and I was very pleased to get a telegram from the Queen."

Her son Victor Carter, 63, added: "It's a very special Mother's Day for Elsie, her being 100 on the day itself, and it's very nice for all the family to be together.

"We arranged a surprise party for her 90th but she didn't like the shock so we told her about this well in advance and she has been looking forward to it.

"Mum has lived on her own for about 40 years but most of us live in the Hanneys so we all look after her.

"She can still get about and she is always there at family gatherings, including the barbecues we have in the summer.

"She has to use a frame to walk now but she still enjoys going out for meals with my sisters."

Father Tony Hogg, the vicar of Hanney, Denchworth and East Challow, who dropped in to the party, said: "We mentioned Elsie in church this morning because it is Mothering Sunday."

At the start of the gathering, Elsie got together with four family members for a special photograph featuring five generations.

Representing the other four generations were her daughter Elizabeth Bell, 74, her grand-daughter Myra Goodfellow, 51, her great grand-daughter Jane Goodfellow, 27, and her great-great grandson Dylan Moore, three.

Victor added: "My mum has lived in the village all her life so she is a very well-known face.

"She is a lifelong member of the women's section of the Royal British Legion for over 50 years and was often seen out selling poppies."

Mr Carter said his mother met her husband Reginald, from Lockinge, near Wantage, 75 years ago.

Reginald worked at the Milton depot aircraft stores and the couple had eight children, Elizabeth, 74, Dorothy, 69, Kathleen, 67, Margaret, 65, Victor, 63, Robert, 60, Cecil who died aged 47 from an illness, and Harold, who died aged 53, due to ill-health.

Mrs Carter, whose husband died over 40 years ago, now has 20 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and four great-great grandchildren.

Victor added: "My mother's sister-in-law, Maggie Lamble, is 102, so I suppose you could say this runs in the family, but I don't think I will last that long."