A CENTENARIAN was able to celebrate her 100th birthday party with two special guests.

Edna Ball celebrated the milestone birthday at Old Gates Nursing Home in Livesey Branch Road, Blackburn, surrounded by her family and friends.

However Mrs Ball, who originally hails from Great Yarmouth in Norfolk, is a big animal lover and was joined by two owls from Horus Birds of Prey in Leyland.

The 100-year-old was born in 1919 and had played her part during the Second World War in the Women's Auxiliary Air Force, known as the WAAF, as a telephonist.

After the war Mrs Ball had several jobs, including working in factories and shops, before retiring as a green grocer in order to look after her only daughter, Karen Stevens, fulltime.

Keen on animals, Mrs Ball owned several cats and dogs throughout the years and always had a fondness for wildlife.

During her party, Mrs Ball and her daughter opened a telegram and a birthday card from The Queen, who congratulated her on her 100th birthday.

Mrs Ball also got the chance to meet the two owls - Flint, an eight-year-old white-faced scops owl, and Nugget, an 11-year-old Bengal eagle owl.

Mrs Ball donned a special glove and was able to hold Flint.

Mrs Stevens, 56, said her mother had a great day.

She said: "It was lovely to see all the staff and other residents make such an effort for my mum.

"I think she had a great day.

"I'm really happy for her to reach her 100th birthday."

Mrs Ball also blew out the candles of her home-made birthday cake.

Mrs Ball has seen 20 prime ministers during her lifetime, as well as four different British monarchs.

Natalee Claydon-Yates, unit manager at the nursing home, said: "Reaching your 100th birthday is a massive achievement and we needed to celebrate it in a special way.

"Knowing she had an interest in animals we organised the birds of prey to come in and I think they were a real hit with Edna and the other residents.

"Edna came to life when she saw them and it was really emotional for the staff to see her so happy and elated.

"We hope she had a good day and I would like to thank everyone who helped organise this day."