SHOREDITCH-BORN Elizabeth Bateman celebrated her 100th birthday in Old Down this week with a good old Cockney knees-up.

The sprightly centenarian joined in a chorus of Maybe it's because I'm a Londoner with staff at Windmill House residential home.

"Elizabeth lived in London virtually all her life until she moved here in October 2003 to be closer to relatives," said Windmill House proprietor Katy Collacott.

"She's a wonderful lady with a really good sense of humour. She's really proud of her Cockney roots and still enjoys a good sing-song.

"She's always saying that inside she feels like a 21-year-old." Mrs Bateman's big day was marked by a message of congratulation from the Queen and a party at the home attended by family members from Thornbury.