Barbara Lees, from Alexandria, celebrated the milestone with a birthday party at Boquhanran House in nearby Clydebank, where she now lives.

Up until July of last year, the fiercely independent Barbara lived alone except for the visits of a home help for a few hours a week.

Born in 1914, Barbara’s parents were Alexander Lees and Jessie Grant and she had an older brother named Alexander who was born in 1912.

Barbara’s mum was left to look after the family when her husband tragically died in a railway accident at Singer Railway Station, Clydebank, in December 1914.

Barbara — who says she “doesn’t feel any different” after turning 100 — attended Vale of Leven Academy and was a high achiever at school, but because of her family’s financial circumstances, like many at the time, she had to leave school at 16 and find a job.

She found work with The Co-operative Store in Alexandria, where she worked in the office and later was appointed to be the cashier.

It was here that she met a lifelong friend in Mary Crawford, and the pair would go on to spend a great deal of time together — cycling all over Scotland during their free time.

Barbara also enjoyed spending time abroad with Mary’s brother Robert and his wife, Jean with Portugal and Switzerland being her favourite destinations.

Later on Barbara switched jobs and became the manageress of The Electricity Board Showroom in Alexandria, where she remained until her retirement.

Joining Barbara at the party were her fellow guests at the home, her cousins Barbara, 87, Sheila, 74 and Joyce, who is in her late 70s.

Everyone watched as Barbara opened a card from the Queen, congratulating her on reaching the landmark age.

Also in attendance was Provost Douglas McAllister who presented Barbara with a boucquet of flowers and read out a short speech.

Speaking to the Reporter afterwards, Provost McAllister says Barbara is an “inspiration to us all”. The Provost said: “It’s a real privilege to be able to come along and celebrate an occasion like this.

“I regard it as a great honour actually to be involved. It’s a rare thing in our area and this is actually the first person from Alexandria to reach 100 I’ve encountered in my time as Provost.

“I actually asked Barbara what her secret was and she told me it was just ‘to be good, to be good to others’ which I think shows you what kind of person Barbara is.

“It’s really lovely to be able to come here and meet Barbara and also her family.

“As I’ve said, it really is a rare occurrence in our area, I think because of our industrial past, so to see someone live through all of that and still have great health is remarkable.

“I did some research before coming here today and Barbara has actually lived through three Kings, our present Queen and 19 prime ministers. I think when you look at it like that you understand the magnitude of reaching 100.”