A Croxley Green woman who spent her life volunteering for the Salvation Army celebrated her 100th birthday with a celebration with family and friends.

Lily Ford, nee Hyde, was born in East Ham, and lived next door to Upton Park football stadium.

Her father died in the First World War aged 21, and her mother died aged 37.

She married husband Charles Ford in 1936, and the couple moved to Southall in 1938, where Charles worked for AC Buses as a progress chaser.

Lily worked in the Salvation Army Insurance Company in Queen Victoria Street, having previously been a member of the charity's choir.

After raising three children, Dominic, Hazel and Glynis, Mr and Mrs Ford retired to Brighton in 1976, where Lily volunteered in the Salvation Army charity shop.

Following the death of Charles, Lily lived alone for 30 years, before moving in with her daughter Hazel in Hillingdon and then Chandlers Cross.

She has spent the last four years living in Croxley Green, in Shaftsbury Court, Malvern Way, and celebrated her centenary on Wednesday.

Her daughter Hazel, 68, said: "She is a very independent lady, she lived alone for 30 years after our father died and she never bothered any of us.

"I was only when she turned 90 that she started to feel that things were getting too much."

Mrs Ford, who enjoys knitting and watching television, said her secret to long life was "giving your life and soul to the lord Jesus."