SYDNEY Ball celebrated his 100th birthday at the Queens Court Nursing Home, Buckhurst Hill.

Mr Ball, who lived with his wife Doris in Chigwell Road, Woodford Green, for 50 years, had his century milestone marked with a card from the Queen

Born in Walthamstow in 1901, Mr Ball was a tool maker, a reserved occupation during the Second World War.

He met his wife, Doris, when they sat next to each other in church. They were married in November 1924, and celebrated their diamond wedding in 1984. Mrs Ball died in May 1990, aged 89.

Mr Ball, who moved to the nursing home in April, has has two children, Brian and Phyllis, five grandchildren and 11 great-grand children.