A GREAT-grandmother and former 'bingo queen' celebrated her 100th birthday with family and friends yesterday (Wednesday).

Mrs Hilda John enjoyed her centenary celebrations at Torestin care home, in tiers Cross, where she is a resident.

Staff said she was ‘thoroughly chirpy’ and looking forward to her big day, which included a visit from chairman of Pembrokeshire County Council, Cllr Wynne Evans, who presented her with a bouquet.

Mrs John was born in Dale and married Billy John of Haverfordwest, although they spent the early years of their marriage apart as Mr John was detained for three and a half years in a Japanese POW (prisoner of war) camp during the Second World War.

After his return from the war, Mr and Mrs John brought up their family in Haverfordwest, living first in Dew Street and then Priory Avenue with their children David and the late Pamela and Davina.

Mr John, who worked for Pembrokeshire County Council, died in 1977 and after that Mrs John moved to Pembroke Dock and then Milford Haven, where she lived with David and her daughter-in-law Joan.

One of her main interests was the local bingo.

“They used to call her the bingo queen at one time!” said David. “Wherever there was bingo, she’d be there!”

Mrs John has numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren – a number of whom live in Canada and England.

Tragically, her grandson Steven John died five years ago.

She was joined on her birthday by David and Joan, granddaughter Julie, granddaughter-in-law Noy, great-granddaughters Georgina, Jasmine, and Natasha, and her grandson Stephen Evans and his wife Mel who provided musical entertainment.