'Ello 'ello 'ello, a widow celebrating her 100th birthday received a special visit from an actor from "The Bill" at the weekend.

Ciaran Griffiths, who plays PC Gary Best in the hit ITV show, came to Keighley on Saturday for his great-grandmother's 100th birthday party.

Lilian Griffiths reached 100 last Thursday and celebrated her centenary with family and friends at her son's house in Silsden.

Lilian was born and brought up in South Wales. She married a local man, William, then moved to Essex in the 1930s .They had one son.

She lived for most of her married life in Essex, until William retired at 65 and they moved back to their home town in Wales. William died ten years ago, aged 90. Lilian's son, Ceri Griffiths, 70, brought his mother to Raikes Residential Home, in Bradley Road, Silsden, three years ago after she had a mild stroke.

The retired lecturer said: "If I'm honest, I'm gob-smacked and amazed that she's come this far. She's had to get through quite a lot really."

Ceri said his mother was diagnosed with cancer when she was 90, but was told that she had had the tumour since she was 75 and it had too much of a hold on her to be able to operate.

He said: "I can't think of any particular reason why she has had such a long life. She's had a quiet life and has always been very unruffled and calm.

"She's very involved in her family and loves to read. I put it down to genetics -- her mother also lived well into her 90s. I just hope I'm fortunate enough to have got the same genes."

Up to 40 relatives and friends, many from Wales and Essex, attended the party, including Lilian's four grandchildren and Ciaran, 20, one of her seven great-grandchildren. The centenarian received a message from the Queen during a tea party with staff and residents at Raikes.