A GREAT-grandmother celebrated an impressive milestone with her family by her side.

Ellen Violet Phillips, known as Vi, celebrated her 100th birthday at the Basingfield Court Residential Care Home, in Huish Lane, Old Basing.

After opening her birthday cards, including one from The Queen, she had afternoon tea with members of her family.

The birthday girl was joined by her daughter Ann Bowles, 70, her two grandsons, Paul, 50, and Russell, 46, three great-grandsons and one great-grandaughter.

Asked how it felt to be 100, Vi said: “I feel extremely happy and glad to be 100. I also feel privileged to have witnessed so many historic events in my lifetime, including all the royal weddings and coronations.”

Vi was born in London in 1914 and lived in Bond Street, Mayfair, until 1928 when her family moved to Mitcham, in Surrey.

It was there she met her late husband Jack Phillips, who played cricket with Vi’s brothers. The couple married in 1937 before moving to Southall, Middlesex.

They moved to Oakley in 1975 to be near their daughter Ann, and followed Ann to Dorset when she moved there.

Vi returned to the borough just over four years ago to live in the Old Basing care home.

Manager Rachel Barry said: “Vi is a lovely lady who everyone at Basingfield Court is very fond of, and who really deserved a wonderful celebration.”