CELEBRATIONS were in full swing at HC-One’s Aston House care home in Angel Lane, Hayes End, as resident Helen Howard reached 100 years old.

Helen was born in America before moving to Ireland with her family when she was two.

After coming to England, Helen married Thomas in 1938, before becoming a mother to Madeline and Tom. Many of her working years were spent as a nanny.

She is now a grandmother of five and a great-grandmother to 12.

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Her recipe for a long and happy life: “Do whatever you want and eat and drink whatever you fancy.”

Helen began her special day with a surprise visit from the Mayor and Mayoress of Hillingdon, Cllr David Yarrow and Mary O’Connor, who presented her with cards and flowers.

She was then chauffeured to a surprise birthday party with family and friends.

Seema Jose, home manager at Aston House, said: “Helen is a lovely lady and such an inspiration. We were so proud to share such a special moment of Helen’s life.”

Aston House, run by HC-One, offers short- and long-term care packages for older people needing residential and nursing dementia care.