CENTENARIAN Lilian Clarke was the belle of the ball when she celebrated her 100th birthday with her family.

Great grandmother Lilian, who lives at Princess Lodge Care Home, was visited by family and friends at the centre, to mark the special occasion on Thursday, with staff providing the birthday cake.

Lilian, born in Finchley, London, also received the honorary card from the Queen to mark her milestone.

Daughters Lilian Monk, 64, and Pamela Waldern, 79, who both live in Swindon, organised the party for their mother.

Mrs Monk said: “The party was great, some of the family went in the morning and the rest went later on.

“It was a good day of celebration.

“My mother has dementia but she realised what was going on and was delighted to receive a card from the Queen.”

Lilian was married twice to Joseph Speck and Bill Clarke, both deceased. She had six children with Lilian and Pamela’s siblings; John, Ken, Ted and Percy, also being deceased.

Lilian’s hobbies include playing darts and bingo with her daughters describing her as being very family-orientated.

Mrs Monk said: “She’s a real matriarch and loves nothing more than being with her family.

“Her eyes light up when she sees her grandchildren and great grandchildren.”

Her family praised the support she’s received from Princess Lodge since she moved there from London. Mrs Monk said: “On her birthday, the home was really lovely to my mother, they gave her a great cake and downstairs there was a singer performing.

“The staff got the singer to go upstairs and sing Happy Birthday to her which she really enjoyed. They’ve helped her so much since she moved there from London.

“They take great care of my mother and she has come on so much. I can’t praise the staff highly enough.

“They are great to everyone there, they asked their residents what they missed most and they said going to the beach so they built one there for them. They’ve done a good job on it and all the residents love going out and looking at it.”