One of Dumbarton's oldest and best known residents has celebrated her 100th birthday.

Great, great grandmother May Clifford was the toast of family and friends at party held in her honour when she clocked up her centenary last Monday.

May was born in High Street, Dumbarton, and was the twelfth of 13 children.

She married husband Alex on December 30 1938 and they managed to celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary before Alex died in 2005, just days before his 93 birthday.

Daughter Marri Malloy told the Dumbarton Reporter: "Mum still has a very sharp mind and a good sense of humour. She loved the party which was held for her in Argyle Lodge Care Home in Helensburgh where she has stayed since April.

"She thanked everyone for coming and even asked for a round of applause as the party came to an end."

May, who has lived in various parts of Dumbarton during her long and happy life, has the distinction of being at the head of a five generation family, which includes five grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and nine great-great grandchildren, with another one due next year.

Sadly, a son Douglas passed away in 2003.

May puts her longevity down to keeping active and her sharp mind.

Marri, who lives in Oban, said: "Mum and dad walked miles every day and they were always together. Mum was active until she developed osteoporosis when she couldn't walk the same and depended on a wheelchair.

"She worked in Burroughs adding machine company until it re-located, then she worked in Hiram Walkers until her retirement in the late 1970s. In her working life she made long and lasting friendships.

"Mum loved her elderly social club where she met her friends and played bingo, and she was devoted to her church, Dalreoch Parish, which she attended faithfully until she couldn't get out the house."

Marri said before May went into care she was visited often by her grand-daughter Corrinne who also brought her own grandchildren.

She added: "Mum loved these visits and encouraged the children to sing and tell her what they were doing at school and nursery."

"Mum has always had a very sharp mind and a great sense of humour - and sometimes when things don't suit her everyone knows about it! "She has reached this wonderful age and we can only hope her health and spirit stays the way it is now so she can continue to enjoy her life in Argyle Lodge Care Home.

"We as a family can only thank the staff for their wonderful care of my mum."

Care home manager George Hicks said: "May enjoyed the celebration and had a lovely day. She was delighted to receive the card of congratulations from the Queen which we are going to frame for her."