IT'S fair to say there have been some major historical events over the last 100 years – the Second World War and man's first steps on the moon to name just a few – and one Leominster centenarian has lived through them all.

Betty Wright was born on July 29 1917 and celebrated turning 100 with her family last weekend.

As a book-keeper she saved a number of firms from going under and was working at Electrolux in Luton at the outbreak of the Second World War.

During the war she was on the switchboard for the fire brigade as a volunteer before meeting her husband, Sidney, when she was in her early 20s.

The couple married shortly after and Mr Wright was awarded the George Medal for his work as a firefighter during the war.

Their daughter, Pat, was born in 1942 and her brother, David, arrived into the world in 1953.

After some time living near Cambridge, they moved to Norfolk where they opened a shop selling general provisions and later to another shop in Weston-super-Mare before settling in Nottinghamshire.

In 2001, Betty went to live with daughter, Pat, and her husband Mick, in Yarpole, and now lives at Norfolk House in Leominster.

After her husband died 28 years ago, Betty took up bridge lessons and joined the Leominster Bridge Club when she moved to the town.

Other interests included shopping, horse racing, table tennis and socialising.

Asked what the secret to reaching 100 was for her mother, Pat said: "She's never drunk or ever really smoked. She's been always active and walked everywhere. She used to go abroad a lot with my father and go camping and she was always fond of outdoor activities."

Mrs Wright, a grandmother to five and great grandmother to six, celebrated her birthday with family members at the Grove, near Leominster.