A former Hornby factory worker was treated to a return visit to her old workplace on her 99th birthday.

Mary Lincoln went back to the factory floor where she worked on the production line for the company at its Margate home in the 1960s and 1970s.

She was joined by her daughter, Kathy Stevens, and grandson, Dave Stevens - who have also worked at Hornby - for a grand tour of the site on the Westwood Industrial Estate where she spent many hours working for the model makers 50 years ago.

Mary, who lives in Ramsgate, says she was overwhelmed by the hospitality and was made to feel like "a proper VIP" on her birthday last Monday, May 20.

She said: "I have never known so many people who don't know me to go out of their way to make me feel so welcome - like a proper VIP. I can't wait to go back there next year for my 100th b birthday."

The visit was organised after she specially requested to go back to the place she worked at for 15 years between 1965 and 1980.

They were showed around by Peter Oliver, who works in the company's visitor centre and has been with Hornby himself since 1966. He regaled tales with Mary of working at the factory and even found pictures of her in the company archives.

Mr Oliver said: "She really enjoyed the day. She was 99 on the day and worked at Hornby in the early 60s and 70s.

"We gave her a bouquet of flowers and a couple of cakes and showed her some photographs.

"Our health and safety man was there so he took her to the warehouse where we've got some locomotives and into the factory which brought back some memories."

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