SPRITELY Elsie Waites reached the grand old age of 100 last week and was surrounded by friends and family for the special occasion at Dunster Lodge, Alcombe.

Elsie was presented with a birthday cake, bouquets, cards and a message from the Queen as staff at the lodge helped to make her birthday extra special.

One of her two granddaughters, Tricia Clark, travelled from the north of England with Elsie's seven-year-old great-granddaughter Niamh.

Elsie lived in Bolton, Mansfield and Cornwall before moving to West Somerset three years ago when her son Brian and his wife Veronica moved to the area.

Brian, of Carhampton, is a professional golfer - a sport which has been a passion in the Waites family for three generations.

Elsie enjoyed a round of golf until she was into her 70s and her late husband James and her father were also keen players.

Despite fading eyesight, Elsie still likes to keep active and enjoys seeing Brian when he pops in to visit her.

Elsie is pictured with her grandchild and great-grandchild Tricia and Niamh Clark.

Photo: Steve Guscott.