ESTHER Bowden celebrated her 100th birthday this week.

Esther was born Esther Brock on November 12, 1921 in Probus, Cornwall, the youngest of nine surviving children.

During the Second World War she worked in a munitions factory in Ellesmere Port.

In 1941 she married Edward Bowden in Kenton to whom she was married for 57 ‘good years’ until he died in 1998.

The couple had three children, the youngest a boy who died in infancy, and her two remaining children, Susan and Sheila, who are now in their 70s.

Esther’s family has since grown to include four grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren – an incredible five generations

Esther and her family have lived in Newton Abbot since 1949, and she said she now feels like a local.

She will be well-known in the town, having worked at several retail establishments including Jackson’s fish shop and Buckland News.

She used to be a keen darts player, having played in the Newton Abbot A League well into her 80s for Forde Hall Social Club – an association forged when Edward used to work on the railway.

Her friends put on a lovely 100th birthday party for Esther and despite Covid restrictions all her family were able to attend.

She said: ‘I’d like to thank everybody who sent cards and presents and made my day so special.’