A PENSIONER has celebrated her 100th birthday with friends, family and an unconventional longeared visitor by the name of William Bond.

Ethel Rainer Milligan, known as Rainer, turned 100 at The Hyde Residential Home in Bridport.

To wish her happy birthday, her children arranged a visit from a resident of the Sidmouth Donkey Sanctuary – a donkey called William Bond. Mrs Milligan was born in Lambeth in 1916.

Her son, Simon Brody said: “My mum was very beautiful when she was young. She used to model rings in her early years because she had beautiful hands.

“She married my father who was a doctor but he died tragically young of cancer in 1949."

The family moved to London, where the then Mrs Brody rented out a room to a young BBC engineer Raymond Milligan.

Mr Brody added: “Then, as will happen, they fell in love and married. The whole family moved to Bridport when I was nine, in 1953.

“Sadly, my stepfather died just six weeks ago.

"They had been married for 59 years.

“We put my mother’s longevity down to living in a draughty house with no central heating and a solid fuel Aga.”

Mrs Milligan is a great grandmother to Allister, Jessica and Joshua.

Remember, if you've been celebrating and want to appear for free in our weekly Celebration Pages call George Smith on 01305 830817 or email george.smith@dorsetecho.co.uk