A Falmouth centenarian who is still going bowling has celebrated her milestone birthday several parties over the last week.

Florence Nicholls, who moved to the town 50 years ago, received her card from the Queen on November the 10th, and enjoyed several days of celebration.

Born in the midlands, Florence is the last surviving of ten siblings, and moved to Falmouth aged 50 when her husband Gordon took a job at the Baker's Oven.

She was a housewife, who also spent some time working in the dining room at the then-Beacon School - now Falmouth Primary.

She said: "When I came here at first I didn't like it at all, I said I'm going home... but I got used to it and now I really don't want to leave.

Florence is now a member of several groups, remaining active in the Falmouth Methodist Church, taking part in activities with the Falmouth Torch Fellowship, a Christian organisation for those with sight loss, and playing bowls with ABLE, a charity for partially sighted people which meets at Shortlanesend.

She celebrated her 100th birthday at ABLE's bowls meeting last week, with a party and a cake, and also enjoyed a second celebration with the Torch Fellowship, at which her daughter Pat was also present and she was presented with a 100th birthday helium balloon and a bouquet of pink and white flowers were presented, as well as cutting the cake while the group sang Happy Birthday.

As well as balloons and flowers, Florence's living room currently holds around 80 cards, including many from children at the Methodist Church at which she is the oldest member, and a telegram from the secretary of state for the Department of Work and Pensions.

Her card from the Queen is the second she has received from the monarch, after being sent congratulations on the diamond anniversary of her wedding to Gordon, who she nursed through 20 years of ill health before he passed away in 1998. The couple had two daughters, and Florence now has one granddaughter and a grandson.

Asked about the secret to a happy life, Florence told the Packet: "The only thing I say is having a good sense of humour keeps you going.

I've always kept busy and had something to do."