A SPECIAL lady was joined by family and friends as she celebrated her 100th birthday in style.

Centenarian Ruby Rogers opened dozens of cards on September 26, but the prized envelope on this particular birthday came from The Queen.

Staff at Astbury Manor Care Home in Bracknell were keen to give her a day to remember and helped to organise a party for all of the residents to enjoy.

Ruby says the secret of her long life is to: “Enjoy life, keep smiling and be kind.”

Born in a small village in Lancashire, Ruby was brought up with her twin sisters. She attended church from a young age, which is where she met her husband Edgar.

One of Ruby’s favourite memories is when Edgar taught her how to drive at 15 on a beach in Southport.

The pair often holidayed to Cornwall, Devon and France, but also enjoyed going for lakeside walks, playing badminton together and were both devoted book readers.

Staff and residents crafted homemade decorations to display around the care home before the big day.

The party included a buffet and a variety of entertainment. Fred Gardner performed all of Ruby's favourite swing and rat pack songs, while members of Reading Pie and Drums Band serenaded her with songs as she was presented with her birthday cake.

Ruby left school at the age of 16 and studied shorthand before she went on to work as an assistant to the cotton workers.

She and Edgar married when she was 18 and a year later they welcomed their first daughter into the world.

As an engineer in the Air Ministry, Edgar was posted to Blackpool at the start of World War II. Sadly, Edgar passed away in 1942 and Ruby never remarried, moving to Bracknell to be near her family.

She got deeply involved with her local community, volunteering at Copper Hill Community Centre and arranging walks for local ramblers.

Ruby regularly visits local beauty spots where she used to take photographs, which bring back lovely memories.