CENTENARIAN Hettie Dickons today became one of a handful of people to have had a birthday in each of the past three centuries.

Hettie, who has lived in Stamford Bridge nearly all her life, received flowers and cards as she marked her 103rd birthday.

She was born while Queen Victoria was still on the throne, lived through two World Wars and celebrated the dawning of a new Millennium.

Hettie, who grew up in her father's blacksmith's shop in Market Street, now lives opposite it in Ashburnholme Residential Home.

Home manager Jenny Tate said: "We'll be having a little party for her today, as we always do."