A Southampton care home resident has celebrated her 100th birthday.

Peggy Dawe, who lives at Knights’ Grove Bupa Care Home, enjoyed the milestone birthday on Tuesday, September 10 with family and friends.

The care home staff decorated the lounge with pink and gold balloons, and displayed old photos of Peggy throughout the room.

They also arranged for entertainer, Little Joe, to sing and dance for the residents.

A buffet lunch was prepared by the kitchen team, complete with prosecco, and a special chocolate birthday cake for dessert.

Peggy was showered with gifts, including a bouquet of yellow flowers, cards from her loved ones, and the much-anticipated special card from the King.

She proudly read the royal card with her daughters.

Rosie Willsher, activity coordinator at Knights’ Grove, said: "It was beautiful to see the entire home and Peggy’s family come together to celebrate her special day.

"She had a huge smile on her face all day and loved seeing old photos printed around the room."

Born in Addiscombe, Peggy spent her childhood in Surrey living on a fruit farm.

She had two children with her husband, Don Dawe.

Peggy worked in Princes Risborough as an interpreter of aerial 3D photos of Germany, marking bomb damage from the war, all while studying biology.

Eventually, Peggy stopped working and followed her passion for art, specialising in botanical painting.

She won a gold artistic medal in one of the Alpine Garden Society shows, and her paintings were exhibited widely throughout Europe and regularly at the RHS shows in London.

Her paintings have also been published on greeting cards.

Peggy was active in church services at St Mark’s Church in Purley, so Knights’ Grove invited Ann the vicar of the Church of England in North Baddesley to say a prayer and give Peggy a blessing on her birthday.

Peggy’s daughter, Elizabeth, said: "I want to pass on my thanks for the wonderful birthday celebrations on my mum’s 100th birthday.

"Everyone was so kind and showered her with cards and gifts, which she loved.

"She truly enjoyed the day, full of smiles realising what a special occasion it was."