IN JUNE 1977, the Standard reported on a Mrs Janet Metcalf from Cirencester who celebrated her 100th birthday but up until just three weeks before the big day, all her friends and family thought that she was turning 99.

The dilemma all began with Mrs Metcalf’s wedding certificate which stated that she was 22 when she married in 1900 and as her birth certificate had long been lost, the family had nothing to tell them otherwise.

Fortunately, Mrs Metcalf’s daughter, Marie Wright, had an inkling that something was wrong.

She quickly sent off for a duplicate birth certificate and discovered the discrepancy.

There was very little time to make arrangements for the special birthday but dozens of friends and relatives put off their appointments to wish her many happy returns in person.

Even her great, great grandchildren, Dawn and Danielle Pearman, managed to travel from East London to present her with a bottle of champagne.

The grand party was held at Querns Hospital.

She received more than 50 cards, a telegram from the Queen, numerous presents and bouquets of flowers and an iced birthday cake.

Mrs Metcalf was born in Newcastle but moved to Cirencester in 1939 when her family was evacuated at the outbreak of WWII.