NELLIE Andrews made hats for royalty and the military – and now she has reached a major milestone, celebrating her 100th birthday with family at Churchill House in Exford Avenue, Harefield.

The great-grandmother of ten worked for James Lock and Co hat company in St James Street, London, for 50 years before retiring to Southampton.

Nellie was born in Kent and became an apprentice at the company at the age of 15.

She was married to her husband Fred for 31 years before he died in 1968.

Her daughter Jean Ford said: “It was a lovely day and I think she enjoyed herself. She has slowed down a bit now but she was still catching the bus up until about two years ago.”