A BICESTER woman has celebrated her 100th birthday.

Helen Waller, known to friends as Nellie, was visited by family, received a birthday card from the Queen and enjoyed a slice of birthday cake at her home in Hertford Close.

Mrs Waller, the oldest of three children, was born in Bardwell Terrace in 1908. She has one son, Dave, who lives in north Wales, three grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Her grandson Graham said: "Nellie puts her longevity down to her genes and eating well."

Her mother Rosemary Golder was 95 when she died and her uncle Fred Winman was 97.

Mrs Waller entered service as a young girl at Wilcote House near Charlbury, where she trained as a seamstress/dressmaker.

She married Arthur in 1933. After the war, she became head cook at Five Acres Primary School, Ambrosden.