A 100-year-old war veteran who built up an online fanbase posing for "silly selfies" has celebrated her landmark birthday with family and friends around the world.

Temple Hill resident Betty Myfanwy Bullock was bowled over by the bash as cards, cake and flowers flooded in to mark the occasion.

A socially distanced party was held at her flat in Dartford yesterday with messages of congratulations shared from grandsons in Australia and relatives in other far flung corners of the globe.

But the mum-of-two, who was accompanied by her daughter, Susan Luff, 71, was most surprised to see cards from her "Facebook following".

No stranger to a silly selfie, Betty regularly poses for photos which Susan then posts online.

Her candid shots capturing everything from priceless moments with her daughter to adorning false lashes for fun has earned her a growing fanbase online.

Fearful her mum's landmark birthday might be overshadowed by Covid, Sue and family friend Genene Copley asked if some people could send in some messages.

But they were overwhelmed by the response which saw more than 40 cards pile up for Mrs Bullock - including one from the Queen - as well as flowers and well-wishes sent from Dartford council leader Jeremy Kite on behalf of the authority.

"When she opened the cards she said to me are these all for me?" said Sue.

On her mum's new-found fame she added: "I get lots of people telling me how it brings a smile to their day when I post these photos."

"She likes being famous, but she is always surprised."

Mrs Bullock was born on November 26 1920 and was raised by her aunt and uncle in Rhyl, north Wales following the death of her mum when she was six.

At the age of 21 she moved to Kent where she would meet and marry her late husband Edward 'Ted' Bullock.

Ted served in Burma during the Second World War before passing away aged 72.

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Betty also joined the war effort through her work with the Auxiliary Territorial Service, the women's branch of the British Army, founded in 1938, and was stationed at Chatham.

She later moved to Dartford where she worked as an auxillary nurse at the then Joyce Green Hospital, before it closed in 2000 to make way for Darent Valley Hospital.

After the war Mrs Bullock would continue to work in the health service for 23 years before retiring aged 60.

"She was very loved and trusted to be in charge of wards at night by her colleagues who still keep in touch," says Susan.

Betty continues to think of others and knits together blankets for the homeless with the help of her daughter.

"She has always been so kind to everyone," adds Susan. "She is still giving back to the community."

Asked the age old question, what the secret to living to 100 is the knitting nanna quipped: "lots of tea and cake".

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