Telegram from the Queen as Blackpool's Jessie Banks celebrates 100th birthday

Jessie , of Albert Road, has been a Blackpool resident for more than 60 years and considers it her home town.

Born in Gourock, Scotland on March 17,1922, she was one of seven children.

She left Scotland and moved to the Halifax area after marrying Yorkshireman Jeffrey in her late 20s.

The couple later came to Blackpool to help out at the Sunnybank boarding house on Adelaide Street, which was owned by Jeffrey’s aunt.

Jessie also worked at the former Comrades Club on Adelaide Street, which was later demolished after a fire.

Jessie’s nephew, Scott Johnstone, who came down from Ayrshire in Scotland for the celebrations, said: “We held a party for Aunty Jessie on her birthday in the Ruskin Hotel and it was attended by over 60 family members and friends

"The following evening the local Mecca bingo hall invited her along as their special guest as she still attends when she can.”

Among of the highlights of her birthday were a magnificent pink birthday cake bearing the number ‘one hundred’ and, of course, a celebratory telegram from the Queen.

Scott added: “The message from the Queen was really special for her, one of the main things.”

Relatives also came from Halifax to attend Jessie’s party and many of her friends from Blackpool were there too.

Jessie said she never expected to live to 100 but was determined to make the most of it!