Clutching a telegram from the Queen, Ella Mizen reigned over Hanham with a 100th-birthday ride in a horse and cart.

Ella, who has lived in the village most of her life, said her birthday wish was; "to ride around Hanham in a pony and trap and wave to everyone like the Queen."

Yesterday staff and three generations of family members made her dream come true as she was taken on a trip down memory lane.

Ella was born in Shropshire and lived in Mold, North Wales, before she went into service at the age of 14.

She then moved around the country working in various homes as a silver service maid and offering domestic help. While working at Eagle House, in Bathford, her colleague and friend Molly offered to take her home for tea one day.

There she met and fell in love with Molly's brother, a tall and handsome man called William Mizen, known to everyone as Jack.

They married in November 1934 and Jack, who was a bricklayer, built them a bungalow, in Memorial Road. Ella lived there until two years ago, when she moved to the Gables Residential Home in Sydenham Road.

Ella said: "I wore a long pale blue dress and a little blue hat and we had a small reception with the family. Then Jack built the house and that was our honeymoon."

The couple went on to have two children Sheila and Joy. War was declared two day's after Joy's birthday and while Jack went into the army, Ella was left to raise the children and look after the home.

She now has six grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren and is famous for her talents in the kitchen.

Daughter Joy said: "She used to make jams, preserves and even pickled eggs. She would make all her own clothes too. She's played such a big part in our lives we wanted to make this day special for her" After living through two wars, staff at the Gables wondered how best to celebrate Ella's 100 years. Manager Ann Aubrey said: "I asked her some time ago what was her one big wish, she said to ride around Hanham and wave to everyone so that was it."

Family, friends and residents at the home gathered to wave her off as she went for a ride around the village and past the bungalow that Jack had built.

Ella said: "I didn't think there'd be all this fuss, I never thought about reaching 100. I think the secret is that I always ate well and worked hard."