A centenarian who celebrated her milestone birthday with a Champagne afternoon tea passed away 48 hours later.

Dorothy Maud Taylor of Golf Road, Deal, marked the occasion on Saturday surrounded by her family and friends.

She was thrilled to receive a card from Her Majesty, the Queen.

The eldest of five siblings, Mrs Taylor was born in Duke Street and remained in Deal her whole life.

She married sergeant Frederick Taylor, having met after he was billeted from Tottenham, in February 1942. They had their first daughter, Shelagh, before he was shipped to the Far East, and later a second, Patricia. They lived happily in Stockdale Gardens for more than 30 years.

Her granddaughter Trudy Carter said: "She would often reminisce about the time period during the war and how the people of Deal suffered from regular bombings and air raids.

"She often talked about watching dog fights over the Channel and hearing the distinctive rumble of the spitfire engines as they chased German fighter planes back."

In her later life, Mrs Taylor worked at as a barmaid, factory worker and catering supervisor at, what was then, Maddison’s Holiday Park in St Margaret’s Bay.

She then took up a role at The Royal Marine Barracks, first as a housekeeper for the Wrens, then silver lady where she looked after the silverware.

Eventually she became a steward and managed the Officer's Mess.

Mrs Carter said: "She talked with immense pride on her time spent at the barracks.

"She worked there for over 25 years and loved every second.

"She was still a huge fan of the Royal Marine Band and loved to listen to them play."

Mrs Taylor passed away in her sleep on Monday.

She was a grandmother to five grandchildren, seven great grandchildren and four great, great grandchildren.