GREAT great grandmother Phyllis Whitcombe has a lot to celebrate as she reaches her centenary.

Mrs Whitcombe (nee Price), of Loyalty Street, Chippenham, gathered with her large family to mark the turn of her century on New Year’s Eve.

Originally from Bristol, Mrs Whitcombe moved to Chippenham during the war years with her husband Arthur, who she married in 1940 at Holy Nativity Church, Totterdown, Bristol.

They had five daughters: Marie Fry, of Park Fields, Chippenham; Brenda Tabley, of Chippenham; Anita Donchie, of Melksham; Diane Pellow, of Stockley; and Carole Mollet, of Market Lavington.

Mrs Whitcombe stayed at home with her children in the day when they were young but worked in the evening at Westinghouse.

Her daughters supported her when her husband Arthur died in 1979.

Her daughter, Mrs Fry, 73,said: “She had her family around her; there was always someone around.

“Mum has not said much about turning 100; we used to tease her about it and the fact she would get a telegram from the Queen.

“She’s pretty lively and getting around as best she can.”

Among the guests to visit Mrs Whitcombe on her birthday was her 98-year-old sister Ivy, from Bristol.

The grandmother to nine and great grandmother to 17 has never been short of family to support her and share special moments with.

“Her birthday went very, very well,” said Mrs Fry.

“She was very overwhelmed but she enjoyed every minute of it.

“All of her family came, like the grandchildren, her daughters and all the husbands, then her cousins from Bournemouth and her nephew from Bristol. It was quite a family gathering.

“We just put on an open day so family could come when they liked.

“She was very pleased.”