A great-grandmother who served in the Royal Air Force in the Second World War has celebrated her 100^th birthday!

Two birthday parties were held to commemorate Mary Parkin’s centenary on December 22 at Hargreaves Court Retirement Living scheme in Derbyshire, where she lives independently in her own apartment.

Friends and neighbours gathered to mark the occasion on December 21 with the local British Legion popping by to present Mary with a bouquet of flowers in honour of her service in the RAF, where she rose to the rank of Corporal.

Then another party was held on her birthday (December 22) with family and she received a card from the Queen.

Mary, who has lived at Hargreaves Court for seven years, said: “It has been wonderful to celebrate my centenary with everyone, which made it very special. It was lovely to have two birthday parties.

“Life has become easier since moving to Hargreaves Court because I don’t rush about as much, I take time to relax. I take life as it comes and that’s my secret to reaching 100!”

The great-grandmother was born and raised in Derbyshire and married Harry in 1942. They had two daughters Joan and Joyce. Sadly Harry passed away in 1981, and she made regular trips to see friends in Cornwall, eventually moving there in 1995. She returned to Derbyshire 12 years ago to be near her family again.

Debbie Moffitt, Retirement Living Assistant at Hargreaves Court, said: “We are really pleased to be able to celebrate Mary’s special day with her, and she was over the moon to celebrate her birthday twice.

“It was a lovely touch to have the British Legion visit her in honour of her service in the RAF. Mary is very active and loves to take part in activities in the scheme.”

Riverside’s Retirement Living is all about maintaining independent living in an apartment with communal facilities. Find out more about Hargreaves Court here.