A born-and-bred Macclesfield woman has celebrated her 100th birthday.

Along with many helpings of cake and bubbly, Nellie Beech (née Eardley), resident at care village Belong Macclesfield, has marked the milestone occasion with a special reading from her local church.

Having lived through no fewer than four monarchs, twenty prime ministers and 36,525 days, new centenarian Nellie enjoyed a very modern celebration as carers at the Kennedy Avenue dementia specialist facilitated a video link with Holy Trinity Church, Hurdsfield, whose reverend dedicated her favourite Psalm 121 for the special day.

Born on 6 December 1920 and raised in Rushton Spencer, a young Nellie left school at the tender age of 14 to learn millinery — the manufacture and craft of making hats and headwear — before working in a local mill.

A few years later she married local builder Frank Beech, having met at a village dance, though Nellie insists that she "didn't fall for him straightaway!".

Now residing in the Spinney Mead area, and with Frank away serving in World War II, the couple were blessed with a son, Terry, in 1942. Upon Frank's return, Nellie helped build the family home by wheel-barrowing the bricks to her husband for its construction.

The family shared many happy years together at the home on well-known Rainow Road. Sadly, Frank passed away in 1982 and Nellie has since lived with her son and daughter-in-law, before being welcomed to Belong Macclesfield more recently, following her son's passing three years ago.

As part of the big day's celebrations, Nellie's 'household bubble' enjoyed a party, for which the guest of honour received a showering of gifts including a '100' embroidered blanket, a framed photo detailing facts from the year 1920, and a birthday card from Her Majesty, The Queen.

Caroline Ray, general manager at Belong Macclesfield, said: "We were thrilled to be able to share Nellie's special day with her. She's very much part of the family here and is always one to keep everyone's spirits high. Many happy returns, Nellie."