WELLWISHERS gathered to raise a toast to Weymouth woman Frances Dare who celebrated her 100th birthday.

When Frances Whittem was born towards the end of December 1919, King George V was on the throne, David Lloyd George was Prime Minister, and Nancy Astor had just become the first woman to take her seat in the House of Commons.

Frances was born was born in Wednesbury, West Midlands. In 1934 she and her brothers and sisters came to Weymouth to live with their aunt after their mother died.

They all lived together with their cousins in one Commercial Road house, a site now occupied by the current Debenhams store.

Frances has remained living in Weymouth ever since, living at the Downclose estate, Southill and Radipole.

She met Jim Dare during the Second World War and they married at Radipole in 1941. Jim served in the Devonshire and Dorset Regiment, and later worked as a painter and decorator. He sadly died 22 years ago.

Her family said Frances worked at the grocery shop in Weymouth town centre known as the Maypole, and also as a postal worker.

She had applied to be a Land Girl during the war working on farms but was told her services were needed in the grocery shop.

Frances had to bring up their first child, Peter, on her own due to Jim's Army service during the war.

Two more children followed later after the war, Paul and Helen.

Frances was a regular churchgoer, and attended St Mary's and Emmanuel churches.

For the last two years Frances, who has six grandchildren and five great grandchildren, has been well looked after at Buxton House Care Home.

Family members, some of whom travelled from Devon and Hampshire, joined her at the care home to wish her a happy birthday. Deputy mayor of Weymouth Cllr Colin Huckle was also in attendance, bringing some flowers for the birthday girl.

Son Paul said his mother had an enjoyable day and enjoyed reading her telegram from The Queen.