A CHARD woman who is a regular at bingo and whist has celebrated her 100th birthday.

Frances Pinch, of Millfield, reached the milestone on Saturday and celebrated with a party with friends and family.

Mrs Pinch also received a special card from the Queen with an extra surprise – it card was delivered by Mrs Pinch’s granddaughter, Shelley Chorley.

Mrs Chorley, who is deaf and works for the Royal Mail, had her post round moved so that she could deliver the card to her nan.

Shelley said: “I am really thrilled to be making this special delivery to my nanny. I am sure she will be delighted to receive a card from The Queen.”

Shelley’s Royal Mail manager Paul Bailey said: “I am so proud of Shelley, she is a great postie and does a brilliant job for Royal Mail.

“She has been with us for seven years and is well liked by all the staff. This is an opportunity we were glad to help organise and it will be a real Red Letter Day for both Shelley and her grandmother on this special occasion.”

Mrs Pinch was born in Devon before moving to Cornwall when she was a teenager. There she met her husband Sammy and together they had a daughter, Bonny. The three travelled to a number of places before settling in Chard as the managers of The King’s Arms. Together they then ran the Rose and Crown pub at Birdsmoregate, before returning to Chard on retirement.

Mrs Pinch has said her great age is down to “hard work and a little tot of drink before going to bed”.

She still plays whist every week in Horton and attends bingo every Sunday, with both clubs celebrating her grand milestone.

She has four grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren and 10 great-great-grandchildren.