Strong faith and the ability to enjoy yourself — they are the essence of a long and happy life, according to Agnes Lightfoot, who has celebrated her 100th birthday.

The sprightly centenarian, above, who still enjoys a flutter on the horses, lived in her own flat in Park Street, Didcot, until earlier this year when she moved into Sotwell Hill House care home at Brightwell-cum-Sotwell.

Today she received her special telegram from the Queen and a bouquet of flowers from South Oxfordshire District Council chairman Colin Daukes, before enjoying a tea party.

Mrs Lightfoot, née Delaney, was brought up in Didcot and went into domestic service in the Aldershot area, where she married her husband Thomas in 1946.

During the war she worked in the army depot in Didcot while her husband worked for the Air Ministry at Milton Heights, where they lived.

She also worked at various times as a sheet metal worker and later as an engraver at AERE Harwell.

Her husband died in 1973 and the couple had no children.

Mrs Lightfoot said: "Life is really what you make it.

"You have to take every day as it comes and make the best of it.

"You have to have a strong faith and I am so grateful that I have managed to keep my health and my faculties."