A woman, who has lived in Winchester all her life, celebrated her 100th birthday last weekend.

Vera Hall celebrated her 100th birthday on September 12 at Brendoncare, Park Road with a customary telegram from the Queen.

Vera's son, Richard Hall, paid tribute to his mother and her family's long standing connection to the Winchester area.

He said: “Vera has lived in Hyde for most of her life, as had her mother and father, Ethel and Richard (Jack).

“Vera worked for many years at Gordons timber Yard in Gordon Road, meeting her future husband Edward there just after the end of the Second World War. The couple married in 1947 and have two sons, Christopher and me.

“With her mobility reducing over the years, Vera moved into care during January 2020.

“Thanks go to the Brendon staff who made Vera’s big day so very special.”

On her birthday, Vera said: “If someone had told me in years gone by that I would reach 100, I would have thought they were joking. It's a lovely card from the Queen and doesn't she look young.”