Kate Parkins: 100 years young

Kate Parkins, who reached treble figures on Bank Holiday Monday, was congratulated by town mayor Cllr Bridget George and Cllr Deirdre Williams, as well as relatives from her five-generation family who travelled from Somerset, Essex and Hertfordshire to join her on the day.

Son Leslie Parkins said: "It went fantastically. She broke her hip in September but she's up and about now. She's only small but she's a really tough lady. She's lovely, and we had a perfect day."

A telegram from the Queen interrupted the afternoon's proceedings in the Normanhurst residential home, Brassey Road, before Kate, originally from North London, gave a speech.

Three cakes, spelling 100, were speedily devoured by those gathered.

Leslie thanked staff at the Normanhurst, where Kate has stayed since moving to Bexhill in 1999, saying: "They did us proud.

"The girls were wonderful, they couldn't do enough."

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