ELSIE Roots has lived through the Great Depression, the Blitz and two World Wars.

But as she celebrated her 100th birthday at her home in The Chestnuts, Wantage, on Monday she was musing on issues closer to home.

Asked how life today compared with previous periods of austerity, she said: “I’m just grateful that I came through it. It was lovely to have all my family and friends around me.”

Mrs Roots was born in Sussex on Halloween, 1911, as Elsie Angel. She has lived in Wantage since1975 and at The Chestnuts for 12 years.

She went into service at the age of 14 at the local ‘Big House’ and then at her employers’ residence in London, before she met her husband, Arthur Roots, who she married in 1933. He died in 1990.

Mrs Roots has three children, Douglas, who died in 1998, Victor and Kate, 15 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren — most of whom attended her birthday celebrations on Sunday and Monday at The Chestnuts.

Her advice for a long and healthy life is: “Making the best of things, fresh air and hard work.”

Daughter Kate Smith, 65 said: “She’s a wonderful old lady who is still very bright and cheerful.”