A collection of photographs showing the life of a Norwich resident through the ages was the focal point at a centenary birthday celebration in Hellesdon last week.

Lily Miles celebrated her 100th birthday, which was on March 23, at the Hellesdon Friendship Club, held at the community centre on Middletons Lane, on Friday.

Mrs Miles was invited by Brian Bush, president of the group, as she had been a member for many years.

Mr Bush said: 'It is my pleasure to convey our deepest and most sincere congratulations on this great and proud celebration that has added pleasure for all of us.'

Mrs Miles was born Lily Gertrude Maud Falsar on March 23, 1911, and was the only child of Beatrice and Robert Falsar, who lived on Havelock Road in West Pottergate, Norwich.

She married Geoffrey on August 29, 1935 at St Andrew's Church in the city and they had their honeymoon in Cornwall. Here they stayed in a guest house called Worthyvale, which subsequently they took as the name of their house on Middletons Lane.

Mrs Miles remained there after the death of her husband in 1968, and stayed until she was 99, where she then moved to Woodland Nursing Home on Woodland Road in Hellesdon.

Her son Peter Miles, the youngest of Mrs Miles's three children, said: 'Until her early nineties, she could still be seen on her faithful bicycle, which she used to go into Norwich on to attend to St Mary's Church, The Friendship Club and the Women's Institute.

'Throughout her life she has remained very positive and very cheerful and is now the proud owner of the congratulatory card on her 100th birthday from the Queen. She has always enjoyed the fresh air and appreciated the beauty of the surrounding nature.

'We have all come together today to say a big thank you, not only for her generosity, but for her guidance, inspiration, patience, unselfishness, but most of all, for her love and kindness.'

Are you celebrating an important date in your life? Contact Local Life editor Donna-Louise Bishop on 01603 772438 or email donna-louise.bishop@archant.co.uk