Spritely Ellen Hetherington celebrated her 101st birthday with a small gathering at Woodfields independent living scheme in George Street, Watford, today.

Despite her advancing years she insisted she felt "no different today than she did years ago".

Ellen remembered vividly growing up through two world wars, experiencing rationing and the incredible changes and innovations throughout the 20th century.

Her start to life back on March 6, 1914, was touched by tragedy as her mother died in childbirth.

Despite that she had a full and happy childhood and attended St Andrew’s School in St John’s Road, Watford.

She worked on the Greycaine as a young woman and then joined Her Majesty’s Stationery Office in Wealdstone.

She remained living in Watford and met her husband to be, Eutric, who had come south from Craghead, County Durham, to find work as a bus driver. They married at St Matthew’s Church in Oxhey.

After their daughter, Barbara was born and grew up, Ellen returned to work and took a position in the canteen at Orchard School, in Gammons Lane.

She remained there for 37 years before retiring at the age of 65.

Eutric died in November 1972, but Ellen keeps in contact with her extended family in the north of England and as well as daughter Barbara, she has two grandchildren, Stewart and Suzanne, and six great grandchildren, Anthony, Ben, Kathryn, Natasha, Kyle and Jake.