About 100 people helped Ellen Markham fulfil a life-long dream yesterday to celebrate her 100th birthday.

The Bicester centenarian accompanied the congregation on the organ at Bicester Methodist Church for her favourite hymn, The Church’s One Foundation is Jesus Christ Her Lord.

Mrs Markham, who turned 100 on Thursday, said her faith was key to her longevity, adding: “I had a truly remarkable day.”

Mr Markham, who grew up in Blackthorn, near Bicester, began playing hymns at an early age on piano at her Sunday School in Blackthorn Chapel.

Aged 19 she had already decided she would celebrate her 100th birthday by playing her favourite hymn.

A primary school teacher, she married Reverend George Markham in 1936 and they moved around the country.

They had two children, David and Gillian, and she now has six grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. Following Rev Markham’s death in 1978, she moved back to Bicester and started playing the organ at the methodist church. She only stopped playing regularly in the last five years.

Her son David said: “It went very well, she very much enjoyed herself. It was quite an occasion.”