A FORMER Canary Girl has celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by family.

Amy Hicks from Staunton-on-Wye celebrated the milestone birthday in January, with family gathering in Herefordshire from across the country to mark the occasion.

One of her sons had even travelled from Zimbabwe to celebrate with her.

Born on January 30, 1923, Mrs Hicks has been a loyal subject to five monarchs, and has seen 23 Prime Ministers come and go.

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She also played her part as one of the Canary Girls, making bombs as part of the home-based war effort at the Royal Ordinance Factory in Rotherwas during the Second World War.

During her lifetime she has raised a family of five children, welcomed eight grandchildren and then nine great-grandchildren.

Granddaughter Rachel Read said Mrs Hicks is a well-loved member of the community, known for her fabulous fruitcakes, beautiful knitting skills and cheeky sense of humour.

Mrs Hicks was delighted to receive a card from King Charles and Queen Consort, Camilla to celebrate her birthday and the celebrations of this milestone birthday will continue with friends and neighbours over the coming weeks.