This Backwell centenarian bears a remarkable resemblance to the late Queen Mother.

She is in fact Joy Clifton-Hughes of, Lawnside, Backwell, but was deservedly given the royal treatment by her friends and family and the chairman of Backwell Parish Council Colin Pope, who presented her with a bouquet of flowers to mark her 100th birthday on Saturday, June 27.

Joy also received a telegram from the Queen - customary for such a big occasion.

Although 100-years of age, those close to Joy know that age is only a number as she still gardens, enjoys trips to London to visit her daughter Wendy, attends art galleries and exhibitions and has a great interest in life.

Her practical solutions to problems and her opinions, shows how valuable age and experience can be.

Joy was born in Sheffield and went on to become head mistress of the first special needs school in Bath. Her pioneering teaching emphasised the importance of regular attendance, honesty, politeness and all attributes needed to make a useful employee.

She gave talks to WIs, Rotary clubs, church groups and training colleges trying to raise the profile of less academically able children and also ran courses with the University of Bath to help teachers work successfully with children with special needs.

For a time Joy was chairman of Eagle House Youth Club in Knowle West, where her husband George was head teacher of Connaught Boys School.

After retiring Joy and George built a house in the grounds of Brockley Hall and their hard work and enthusiasm quickly helped form the scattered households into the strong community that it is today.

Joy was chairman of the Friends of Brockley Church, ran the Red Cross Centre in Backwell, which included the medical loan service from a summerhouse in her garden, and delivered meals on wheels to other residents in the town well into her eighties.

Backwell Parish Council, which wrote an article about Joy in its parish magazine, described her as a "special lady" who for all her life has given time and effort to support others and contribute to the community.

Joy has two grandsons and two great-grandaughters Ines, 4, and one-year-old Mariana Brennan.