A Larne centenarian celebrated her 100th birthday in style with a letter from the King, a hand-delivered gift from the Lord-Lieutenant - and some special gifts from Asda.

Ethel Blair marked the milestone in May, with friends with Asda Larne gifting their oldest shopper with a card, some flowers and cupcake.

Ethel said: “I was very touched by the gifts. I really couldn’t believe how much I’m thought of by the people at Asda. They’re a really lovely group of people.”

A former seamstress, Ethel was born in the village of Magheramorne on May 20, 1926.

Ethel Blair, 100, with her letter from the King. Photo: supplied

placeholder image — Ethel Blair, 100, with her letter from the King. Photo: supplied

She spent her early years working on the family farm alongside her schoolwork, before learning her trade at 18. She worked as a seamstress until her retirement more than 30 years ago.

Serena Quigley, who is married to Ethel’s nephew John, is the butcher supervisor at the McGee’s counter in the store.

She said: “Ethel is a genuinely lovely lady. She jokes that the reason she’s stayed so fit and healthy is that she never married or had children!

“She’s still incredibly independent and loves to get out and about as much as she can. John visits every day and takes her out several days a week, and like clockwork, he takes her to Asda every Saturday to do her shopping.

Ethel Blair, centre, with Gail Caldwell, Asda Larne Community Champion, McGee's butcher Conor O'Cleary, Serena Quigley, front right and Serena's dad Jim Steele, who also works on the McGee's counter at Asda. Photo: supplied

“She heads off with her trolley to get her groceries, and it’s a great opportunity to stop and chat to people from the town. Sometimes she meets people she hasn’t seen for years, and it’s something she really enjoys.”

To further celebrate the special occasion, Ethel was treated to lots of flowers and a meal out with 18 friends and family.

Serena added: “We popped to Asda just after she turned 100, and she was delighted to see the team had remembered.

“Ethel is a very special lady, so it was fantastic to see so many people wishing her all the best for her birthday.”

Gail Caldwell, Community Champion at Asda Larne, added: “It was my pleasure to present Ethel with some gifts from all of us at the store. She’s been shopping here for more than 15 years, and we all love to see her coming in. Huge happy birthday wishes to Ethel from all of us!”