Visitors travelled across the Atlantic to help Ellen Arthey’s 100th birthday.

Mrs Arthey, who lives in Richard Cox House residential home in Dog Kennel Lane, Royston, turned 100 on July 13. Her daughter Connie flew over from her home in Delaware, USA, to join the celebrations.

Mrs Arthey’s grandson Gary Hammond said: “We had a small family and friends get-together of about 20 people to celebrate this special occasion.

“There was a card from Buckingham Palace with a congratulatory and personalised message from the Queen.”

Mrs Arthey, one of eight children, and grew up in the east end of London. She married her late husband, George, in 1937, and the couple lived in Ruislip before moving to Ware, then on to Royston in the 1970s. A former resident of Minster Way and Newmarket Road, she has two daughters, five grand-children and four great grandchildren.