THE festive season brought a double celebration for Olive Thompson - and a birthday card from the Queen on Christmas Eve made her 100th birthday extra special.

Olive's family travelled from all over the country to help the former nurse celebrate with a party in Redcar.

"I am not doing so bad for my age because I am only just starting to feel old," said Olive, who was born in Grangetown, near Middlesbrough, on Christmas Eve, 1902.

"Inside, I am still quite young and still want to do all of things I used to, like going dancing - the old fashioned style, not rock and roll."

A keen singer in her youth, Olive is used to receiving things from royalty. She received a plaque from King George V for boosting the armed forces' morale with songs during the First World War.

By the time war broke out again in 1939, Olive was a nurse and spent her time helping those wounded in Middlesbrough.

She said: "I would like to thank everyone for the cards and flowers. My room is like a florist's.

"I owe my long life to believing in the Holy Spirit because when I am down He lifts me up.

"I have always remembered that Christ was born the day after me and that has stayed with me all my life."