A SPRIGHTLY singer from Kendal has celebrated her 100th birthday.

Mary Shaw, who now lives at Croftside Care Home in Milnthorpe, was joined by family and friends to celebrate the occasion.

She was also delighted to receive a birthday card and congratulations from the Queen.

Miss Shaw said that she had a 'lovely birthday' surrounded by her loved ones - but other than 'good clean living' she did not want to preach about how others should live their lives to make it to three digits.

"I've no bad habits," said Miss Shaw. "I'm a soldier in the Salvation Army so I don't drink but I wouldn't go round saying you shouldn't do that - everybody's a right to please themselves."

Miss Shaw was born on September 16, 1916 to James and Mary Shaw, who lived at Parkside Flats in Kendal. She had one brother, John, and one sister, Ruth and was educated at Kirkland School and the Senior Girls' School in Kendal.

She worked in domestic service and later at K Shoes but her chief interest was always Kendal Operatic Society, where she was a member for more than 25 years.

"I did Rose-Marie, Annie Get Your Gun, The Desert Song, South Pacific," said Miss Shaw. "My very favourite song was 'You'll Never Walk Alone' from Carousel."

However, asked what her favourite part of her time on the stage was, Mary simply said: 'The boys!'.

"It didn't matter what you were doing in your dressing room," she said. "If you heard a knock on the door, you'd be sure that one of the men would walk in and say: 'Ooh I'm so sorry!'"