A Dorset woman who met the love of her life while serving in the RAF has celebrated her 100th birthday.

Centenarian Audrey Rockingham celebrated her milestone birthday with a tea party surrounded by friends and family, and was spoilt with flowers and presents - and even a card from the Queen.

Mrs Rockingham - who was a RAF stenographer during the Second World War - lives at Maiden Castle House care home in Dorchester, where she spent the day with other residents, as well as her son and daughter-in-law.

Staff at the Care South home arranged party games, music and a buffet, and, alongside residents, then gathered to sing happy birthday and watch Mrs Rockingham make a wish while blowing out the candles on her 100th birthday cake.

Audrey Rockingham is the youngest of three daughters and grew up in Southampton. Her father was in the Royal Navy and survived the battle of Jutland, before being awarded a number of medals for his bravery.

Mrs Rockingham had hoped to become a teacher, but had to look after her parents during her teenage years due to them both being profoundly deaf. She also cared for one of her sister’s children.

Despite that, Mrs Rockingham earned a scholarship to secretarial college which led to a job in the Royal Air Force (RAF) as a stenographer. While serving in the RAF, she met the love of her life and future husband Flight Lieutenant David William Rockingham. The couple married in 1944 before moving to Portsmouth.

Audrey and David had two children: Anna, who became a nursing trainer, and David who became a ships pilot.

After leaving the RAF, Mrs Rockingham became a bookkeeper and secretary, while her husband moved into insurance.

Care South is a registered charity that offers a full range of care services for people of all ages - from young people who need some temporary help with everyday life, to older people looking for a new home with full-time care. The company’s headquarters are based in Poole, Dorset.

For further information about Care South contact Michael Seymour on 01202 712400/07593 131191 or email michael.seymour@care-south.co.uk.