Age is no barrier for Banbury pensioner Hilda Miles.

Hilda, who celebrated her 100th birthday on Wednesday with family and friends, still loves to take her tartan shopping trolley to Marks & Spencer.

But she took a break from stocking up on her favourite ready meals to celebrate her centenary.

Hilda lives at a sheltered housing block in Union Street, run by Sanctuary Housing, and the scheme’s manager Maggie Paynton joined about 50 people for a special party.

Widower Mrs Miles said: “I was delighted to get my birthday card from the Queen — I was hoping I would get one.”

Her younger brother Arthur Golder, 94, joined the gathering and Mrs Miles’s daughter Jean Watson, 78, flew in from Florida in the United States.

Mrs Paynton said: “Mrs Miles often takes her tartan trolley on the bus into town to go and shop at M&S, where she picks up her favourite ready meals.

“She is well known in the town, and staff at M&S have sent over a bouquet of flowers.

“Mrs Miles still does a great deal for herself, including her own shopping, and has very good neighbours, Anne and Chris Simons, who organised her party.

“About 50 people came from all over the country, including a couple she made friends with on the plane when she was flying to the States to visit Jean — she’s a very popular lady.”

Mrs Paynton said Mrs Miles’ husband Ted died about seven years ago when he was in his early nineties.

She added that Mrs Miles, originally from Upper Heyford, near Bicester, has been living in sheltered accommodation for the past 20 years.