Former prize-winning dancer Frances Munden was presented with a photo montage of her life as she celebrated her 100th birthday.

Children from Chalkwell Hall Infants School joined Anna Firth, MP for Southend West, to party with the centenarian at Catherine Miller House, Leigh Road, Leigh.

She enjoyed a glass of her favourite drink Baileys, on her birthday last Friday, and schoolchildren sang Happy Birthday to her.

Ms Firth said: “It was a joy visiting Frances and being part of her birthday celebrations, one of life’s wonderful characters."

Born in 1924, Frances was 18-years-old when she met her husband Jim in Chesterfield, Derbyshire, where he was stationed during the Second World War.

Frances worked at a factory in London welding the tail fins on bombs during the conflict, but she had a lifelong interest in dancing and gardening. Partnering her husband Jim over the years, she won several prizes and had the perfect scholar as her grandfather was a well-known teacher of ballroom dancing in Derbyshire.

Echo: Anna Firth, MP for Southend West, celebrates Frances Munden turning 100-years-old at Catherine Miller House in LeighAnna Firth, MP for Southend West, celebrates Frances Munden turning 100-years-old at Catherine Miller House in Leigh (Image: Julie Cushing)It was not until she was in her 60s that Frances took disco lessons and qualified to be a teacher. Her interest in dancing continued into her 90s when she still attended Country and Western music and dancing venues with a neighbour.

Her husband Jim passed away in 1997.

Mandie James, home manager at Catherine Miller House, said: "Being able to celebrate a residents 100th birthday was a pleasure and just one of the great things that make working in the social care industry a wonderful experience."