A woman who worked with Winston Churchill in the War Room bunkers has celebrated her 100th birthday.

Neata Brown, who lives at Coneygar Lodge care home in Bridport, was born on December 16, 1919 in East Yorkshire, near Hull.

At school she loved to read and found a passion for expanding her knowledge through books, which then led her to secretarial college when she left school.

After a year at college, she left to get a job a PA at a solicitor based near Hull and she had to commute on a bus for five miles twice a day. The bus trips were free as her uncle had founded the bus company.

She worked there until war broke out and she went into the forces, which is where she continued to move around the UK serving the country. She then volunteered to work in the bunkers with Winston Churchill as a PA, dealing with confidential matters.

Neata said the war had a huge impact on her life an that ‘the war must never be forgotten as lessons must be learnt’.

When Neata was growing up she played cricket and as she got older, she found a love of the theatre and watching a ‘good play’ or ‘good ballet’, as well as her beloved reading which she continues to enjoy to this day.

She has fond memories of holidaying in Scarborough as in her days growing up it was classed as an ‘up market’ place to go on your holidays.

Neata said her secret to getting to 100-years-old is: “Good wine, good coffee and a strong cup of tea, as well as always speaking up if you’re unhappy.”