A PROUD Liver bird who made Gourock her forever home has celebrated her 100th birthday.

Betty Thomson, who hails from Liverpool, marked her milestone with family and friends at the Spinnaker Hotel in Gourock.

The much loved- aunt, sister-in-law and friend was moved by her special party.

Betty, who still lives in her own home, said: "I am overwhelmed."

When asked what her secret to a long life, she said: "I didn't do anything special.

"I just lived an ordinary life.

"I smoked when I was younger, everyone did in the day.

"My late husband Jack was Gourock born and bred and I've lived in Sharp Street since 1960.

"I love Gourock."

The remarkable lady has lived through the reigns of four monarchs and some 25 prime ministers.

She lived through the Second World War, witnessed the first man in space in 1961 and the moon landings in 1969.

When she was born the average house cost £320 and the average annual salary was £186.

A pint of milk cost an old penny and a dozen eggs 12 old pennies.

Betty was born at home in the centre of Liverpool to George and Mary Gaskill and was the eldest of five.

At the age of seven the family moved to Allerton, a council estate in the suburbs

Her first job in 1936 was in a solicitors as a punch-card operator.

Her late husband Jack was in the army when war broke out.

He fought against the Nazi invasion of Norway and in North Africa and Italy.

The couple met while on holiday in Blackpool, tied the knot in 1956 and Jack worked in the steel industry.

Betty was joined at her party by Reverend Teri Peterson, minister of St John's Church, her nephew Phillip Gaskill and nieces Nina Gaskill and Lynn Norwood.

She also received a beautiful flower arrangement from Provost Martin Brennan on behalf of Inverclyde Council and a card from the HRH the Queen from deputy Lieutenant of Renfrewshire Sandra MacDougall.

Two different sets of friends from America also jetted in for the celebration, including Roxanne and Bill Wickham from Boston.

Phillip, 57, who is Betty's next of kin, said: "I flew up from Bristol in October to ask if she would like to do something and she mentioned certain people to invite.

"We all pitched in, Terri, Lynn and her friend Kellyanne Sinnamon.

"I couldn't have arranged it without the help of all these people

"It started off with 10, then it just got more and more."

Phillip who lives in South Wales, paid tribute to his favourite auntie, saying: "Betty is a delightful person.

"She is very intelligent and has always been one of my favourite relatives along with my uncle Jack.

"She is sharp as a razor. I try to come up to visit on an annual basis and we never run out of conversation."

Reverend Peterson praised Betty, who is a long-standing member of the church.

She said: "Betty has been a member of St John's and the guild for 60 years.

"She is one of the loveliest ladies you could hope to meet."

Provost Brennan said: "Betty is so full of life and so articulate and her hearing is better than mine.

"Even though she has lived here all these years, you can still here her Liverpudlian accent and she can still share some wonderful stories of when she was growing up.

"It's remarkable to think it was a horse and cart era when she was born, and to think of all the changes she has lived through. I wish her all the very best."