FAMILY from across the other side of the world jetted in to help centenarian Margaret Shaw celebrate her 100th birthday in style.

FAMILY from across the other side of the world jetted in to help centenarian Margaret Shaw celebrate her 100th birthday in style.

The champagne was flowing on Tuesday at the Margery Girling sheltered housing complex in Gosford Way, Old Felixstowe.

Mrs Shaw was joined for the celebration - which also included cake and music from an accordion player - by her son Christopher, who had come all the way from Australia with his wife Rebecca, and her daughter Vicky Peachey, who lives in Norfolk.

Christopher, 70, said: “It was absolutely brilliant. I think there were around 70 people in total. Mother had an absolute ball - she was queen bee.

“Everyone had a wonderful time. My wife and I spent our time preparing the food while my lovely sister did pretty much everything else.

“There were friends and relatives from all over. Obviously we came the furthest but there were others from Scotland and from across East Anglia.”

Bernice Brewer, activities organiser at the sheltered housing scheme, added: “Margaret is a lovely, lovely lady. We have had a fantastic day and she really seems to have enjoyed herself.”

Mrs Shaw's husband Wally passed away last year at the age of 101 shortly after the couple celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary.

At the time they were believed to have one of the longest marriages in Suffolk, having tied the knot in 1938.

Mrs Shaw, a former nanny, was not only busy looking after their two children but was Brown Owl with Walton Brownies for 20 years and welfare officer of Felixstowe and District Disabled Club for 30 years.