Grand old Lily Davies celebrated her 100th birthday and claimed that "plain, but good living" is the secret to reaching this milestone.

Mrs Davies was born on April 7, 1909 in Montpelier and left school at the age of 14 to become a dress maker.

Her first employment lasted just one day as she pricked her finger on a needle and got blood all over the clothes, before running home in tears.

A year later she started to make baby clothes, and also worked in a sweet shop in the city, before joining the Co-op Tailoring Factory in Brislington.

She was introduced to her future husband Tom in 1939 by her best friend, but they didn't click straight away. On one of their dates to Weston, the coach broke down and Mrs Davies arrived home late to a furious father.

But the couple finally married in 1943 and had a daughter, Kathleen, in 1946. They spent holidays in Mr Davies' family's farm in Herefordshire. Mrs Davies loved the countryside, but was never fond of the animals, especially cows.

Mrs Davies has two grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Her husband died in 1980, and after 74 years living in the same house, Mrs Davies moved in with her daughter in Saltford in 1983.

In 1986 she moved three doors down from her daughter into a little house, which she loved. She took up a caring role with her neighbours, and delivered meals to the elderly, who were often younger than she was.

In August 2006 she moved into Edgemont View Nursing Home, in Oldland Common. Yesterday, her family gathered at the nursing home, which was decked out with balloons, to celebrate her birthday with a slice of cake.

A member of staff said: "She has a very dry sense of humour. All the staff think she is a pleasure to look after."

Mrs Davies said of her birthday: "It will be great when all the fuss is over. I hope I don't have this much fuss when I'm 200. My secret is plain ,but good living."