SHE WAS born in the year Tsar Nicholas abdicated following the Russian Revolution and US entered the First World War.

Alma Bennett, of Ashurst, has celebrated her 100th birthday after living through a century of unprecedented change across the globe.

Her father was a police officer at Portsmouth Dockyard and the family lived in the Round Tower before moving to Southampton.

Alma eventually met her future husband George and the couple were married at St Mary's Church, Sholing, on May 29 1939.

The couple, who ran a post office and tobacconists at Bitterne Road, had two daughters, Jill and Jane, and a son, Tony.

Following their retirement they moved to Ashurst, where Alma took up flower arranging and also developed a keen interest in cooking.

George died almost 30 years ago but Alma has managed to remain in her own home with the help of friends and carers.

She is a member of several groups and organisations in the area, including Ashurst Ladies' Probus, Colbury WI and Christ Church, Colbury, which all helped her mark her 100th birthday.

Eldest daughter Jill flew over from her home in Australia for the celebrations.