A mother who “always puts other people first” has celebrated her 100th birthday.

Elizabeth Duncan, who was born in 1918 in Coventry, celebrated her centenary at Bupa’s The Arkley in Barnet Road, Barnet.

Moving to London to be with her sister, Muriel, she became a nurse at Middlesex Hospital.

She later had three children with partner Bernard Sheil; Kathleen 77, Tony, 76, and Christopher who died.

But she later split up with Bernard and married George Duncan, who died when she was in her 40s.

Kathleen moved to Switzerland to work in insurance, Christopher moved to Germany to be a chef and Tony moved north to Derbyshire to work as a company doctor.

Her son, Tony, describes his mother Elizabeth as a strong character who “always placed an emphasis on people.”

He said: “In nursing, she always looked after people whom social services couldn’t handle, but she could.

“She was quite the disciplinarian, but she was very fair.

“I have no regrets being brought up by my mum - She instilled in me a sense of fairness that has served me well in my career.

“Growing up, there was, of course, sibling rivalry between us kids but she would always find a solution.”

For her birthday, Elizabeth’s daughter Kathleen visited from Switzerland along with her son, Martin, while Tony gave his mum a photo of the entire family to help her remember them.

Tony added: "I have seen through my life just how much I have learned from her.”

Barnet Mayor Cllr Reuben Thompstone visited The Arkley bearing a birthday card from The Queen.