Ref. 28752-80EMMA Porte's pioneering spirit took her to America during the roaring twenties.

She returned to the UK with a husband and two children a decade later.

Last night members of her family gathered at the Badbury Court Care Centre, Chiseldon, to mark her 100th birthday and pay tribute to her independent nature.

Her daughter-in-law Olive Porte, 77, said that although Mrs Porte was now frail and confined to a chair, she had always loved to walk.

"She is a very independent lady. She kept her health for a long time and walked everywhere rather than catch a bus."

"I think it is great that she has reached 100. She has a brother in Somerset who is 102 and another brother and two sisters who are still alive."

Mrs Porte was born near Enfield, Middlesex, and emigrated to America during the 1920s to work as a housekeeper.

It was while she was working at a large house in Philadelphia that she met and fell in love with the butler, Albert Porte.

Their children, Albert junior and Betty, were born in the US but the family returned to the UK in the 1930s and settled in South London.

The couple both got jobs working with munitions at the Woolwich Arsenal, spending the war years there and eventually retiring in the 1950s.

It was around that time that they moved to Swindon to join their son and daughter-in-law in Swindon.

"It was very difficult to get a house in London at the time, so when we were offered the chance to move to Swindon we took it," said Olive, of Ashbury Avenue, Nythe.

"They came down to be close to their family and got a flat in Park South."

Emma's husband died around 10 years ago and his son died six years later. Betty, who is also dead, moved with her family to Wales.

Mrs Porte's two grandsons, six great- grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren all live in Swindon and they celebrated her centenary with a birthday cake, champagne and a special party in her room at the centre in Badbury.

And, of course, Emma was delighted to receive a greeting from the Queen.

Tina Clarke