MORE than 50 friends have been toasting the health of a popular villager who has celebrated her 100th birthday.

Shops in the village of Chadlington put up signs to wish popular pensioner, Vera Webb, many happy returns.

The centenarian was joined by members of her family and received nearly 50 cards to mark the special day on Wednesday.

Mrs Webb, who was born nearby in Kingham, has lived in the Abbeyfield sheltered housing scheme for the past 18 years.

She is well known in Chadlington as she did all her shopping in the village until five years ago.

Slatters Butchers, in West End, was one of two village stores to put signs in their window wishing her a happy birthday.

Mrs Webb was a nanny and housekeeper at the Black Horse pub, in Salford - until she was forbidden from seeing her future husband Alfred by the landlord.

She left to move to the Cross Hands Hotel, near Moreton-in-Marsh, so she could continue her relationship with Alfred, who died in 1983.

She is now the oldest-ever resident at Abbeyfield and was visited by current and former members of staff on her birthday.

Son David, 68, from Tiddington, said longevity ran in his family's genes.

He said: "Her father, James, was 92 and her mother, Annie, was 94, so it's our family tradition to live to to an old age - or, at least, I hope it is!

"I'd like to think I can match my mum but I'm probably not as fit as she is.

"She has always been active, still has a very good life, and she walks without assistance."

"She's well known in the village, liked by the staff and she's still remembered by a lot of ex-staff."

For her party, Mrs Webb was visited by an accordion player, and old songs were sung, including White Cliffs of Dover.

Mr Webb said: "We had a super party for my mum, and toasted her with champagne - although she stuck to her favourite fruit juice.

"It was a wonderful day. And she remembered all the words of her favourite songs."

Abbeyfield manager Anneke Rorke said: "We were established in 1984 and Vera is our oldest ever resident. She's absolutely fantastic. She gets by with very little help and she walks faster than me!"