A FORMER dentist celebrated her 100th birthday yesterday – and put her longevity down to being a vegetarian.

A party was held for Hilda Phillips at the Victoria Downlands Nursing Home in The Drive, Hove, on Wednesday.

Brighton and Hove Mayor Brian Fitch, along with Mayoress Nora Fitch, were among those to visit Miss Phillips, who said: “The Queen sent me a birthday card and a photograph, she is very attractive.

“I had a wonderful birthday and I don’t feel 100 years old.

“Maybe this is because I have been a vegetarian for most of my life.”

Downlands nurse Grzya Szulc said: “She absolutely loved the day.

“She was so grateful to everyone who came.

“The party made such a difference to her as she doesn’t have much family but she loves people and has a lot of energy for a woman of her age.

“She was still smiling at the end of the day.”

Miss Phillips, a former dentist who was originally from Newport, South Wales.