A GREAT-grandmother marked reaching an impressive milestone with her closest friends and family.

Elizabeth Betty Green celebrated her 100th birthday at the Basingstoke Baptist Church, in Gershwin Road, Brighton Hill, along with 70 members of her family and friends.

The birthday girl, who has two children, 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, turned 100 on July 15 and celebrated by opening her birthday cards, including one from The Queen.

Elizabeth was born on July 15, 1915 in the West Ham area of London and married her late husband, Richard, in 1935

During the Second World War, the now 100-year-old, along with her son Spencer, moved a couple of times, including a move to Scotland to be closer to her husband who was serving in the military, because of the threat of attacks in London.

The couple moved to Oakridge in 1973 to be near their daughter Betty-Ann and Elizabeth has lived in Basingstoke ever since.

The 100-year-old enjoyed a number of careers over the years and was one of the original “Sugar Girls” who worked at the Tate and Lyle factory in east London during the war, packing sugar and then went on to help with the production of the company’s syrup.

Elizabeth’s daughter Betty-Ann told The Gazette: “[The party] was absolutely fantastic. Everyone enjoyed themselves and we sang lots of songs to her and she loved it.

“My son collected pictures from her life and put them up around the room so there was weddings, jobs she had and all sorts so it was really interesting. She was thrilled – she looked around the room and all the memories came back. I think she is quite shocked (to have reached 100).”

The 68-year-old, who lives in Longstock Close, Chineham, added: “She is just a really lovely and gentle lady. When she got her card from The Queen, she was absolutely thrilled.”