IT was a red letter day for Scrabble supremo Margery Riley as she celebrated her 100th birthday.

Margery, who lives at Colne View care home in Dame Mary Walk, Halstead, marked the impressive milestone with residents and staff joining her to toast the special occasion.

The plucky pensioner enjoyed her special day with a slice of birthday cake and a window visit from her family.

Staff went above and beyond the call of duty to ensure Margery was well and truly spoiled, marking the day with a Champagne toast and a special message from the Queen.

Margery said the secret to her long life is exercise.

She said: “I am thrilled to have celebrated my 100th birthday, and to be able to see my family really was the icing on the cake.

“Keeping fit has definitely helped me to reach centenarian status – I played lots of sports as a child and even now I love spending time outdoors walking around the garden.

“In fact, even the carers struggle to keep up with me.”

Home manager Razvan Stanbeca said: “Everyone had a wonderful time celebrating Margery’s birthday and she was incredibly excited when her family appeared at the window to say hello.

“We always strive to make an occasion of birthdays, and Margery’s 100th was no different.

“From decorating her bedroom to enjoying a glass of Champagne, we certainly marked the occasion in style!”

Margery was born in Kennington, but moved out of London at the age of six to live in Coulsdon, Surrey.

She was a keen sportswoman in her younger years and enjoyed playing tennis and netball for her school team at Smitham Coulsdon School.

After leaving education, Margery learnt shorthand typing and went on to work at Waterloo Station before joining the Women’s Land Army.

In 2016, she moved to Colne View, where she enjoys spending time in the garden and attending the care home’s in-house church services.

Margery is an avid lover of Scrabble and notoriously hard to beat.

Care home staff say she can often be found with her Scrabble book in hand.