13893-01GREAT grandmother Jean Higgins whose late husband Bob brought some of Britain's toughest criminals to book during his Scotland Yard career, celebrated her 100th birthday at the Merlin Court nursing home in Marlborough on Saturday.

Her birthday brought her a third telemessage from the Queen. She and her late husband, who died in 2002, received messages from the Queen on their diamond and platinum wedding anniversaries. Mrs Higgins celebrated her birthday with a lunch party for family and friends.

Bob Higgins was in the Metropolitan Police and was a close friend of the legendary Fabian of the Yard.

She became a court dressmaker and made dresses for many rich and famous. Even to this day Mrs Higgins has retained her interest in clothes and love of fashion and design.

She has two sons and a daughter, three grandchildren and three great- grandchildren.