WINNIE Guy's face lit up when she opened her once in a lifetime message from the Queen.

The great-grandmother celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by friends and family at the King's Arms in Old Town on Saturday.

When asked the secret to a long life, Winnie said: "You just keep going. I didn't give up."

Her family says that Winnie never lived a squeaky clean lifestyle. She enjoyed a drink and smoked until she was 90.

Winnie was born in Read Street, and has stayed in Swindon since. She now lives in Selena House Nursing Home, Stratton.

After leaving Euclid Street Secondary School she got a job as an apprentice milliner but she never became a hat maker.

She later worked in the post office in Regents Circus and then for Baccy Box, which closed 12 years ago, in Princes Street.

Winnie married in 1928 but was later divorced. She had a son, David who died 20 years ago.

Her granddaughter Monique McLellan, 33, of Park North, said: "She is absolutely amazing for her age.

"She is really sharp, knows exactly what is going on."

Winnie has one great-granddaughter called Sian, seven.

Her sister Ella Wyndow, 90, who lives near Wantage, said: "She is marvellous, her brain is quite brilliant.

"She keeps up with world affairs and has travelled all over the world.

"I married a GI and so she visited me in America twice. She's not had an easy life but she has coped really well."

Winnie has also travelled extensively in Europe including a visit to Russia.

Family friend Roger Scratchley, 62, of Old Town, has known Winnie all his life.

He said: "She is just a hard working, fun loving lady.

"She worked most of her life, she had to support herself because she was divorced eventually.

"But she always stayed cheerful and has a spirit of adventure because she has travelled around the world."

bvadde@newswilts.co.uk