ANDOVER centenarian Ruth Brown made an emotional return to the village she still calls home as part of her 100th birthday celebrations.

Having lived in St Mary Bourne for many of her 100 years, Ruth visited some old friends from the village the day after her birthday party, held in the presence of family and friends.

"I really enjoyed my party and it was lovely to see everyone again," she said.

Ruth was born in 1904 and grew up in Cosy Cottage, a thatched home in St Mary Bourne between Fourways and the church.

The Charles Dalton Court resident said some of her happiest childhood memories are of the times she spent in the village.

She recalled that as an animal lover, her father Walter Sainsbury took home orphaned baby rabbit subsequently named Matthew, Mark, Luke and John for Ruth to feed.

Her father also took home a jackdaw as a pet and she looked after a donkey.

Working for a doctor's family in London aged 14, Ruth found the routine hard and ended up working at Portal Mills in Laverstoke. She would cycle from there into Andover for dances at the Drill Hall on Friday and Saturday.

It was while she was dancing the night away that Ruth met her husband Tommy Brown. He was in the RAF and after their marraige they lived together in quarters around Andover.

Ruth has two daughters and two sons - Joyce, aged 80, Raymond, aged 77, Cyril, aged 74 and Marion aged 66. She also has 12 grandchildren.

"I have always been a happy woman - it all started from my mum and dad because we were brought up right in a family full of love," she said.