CENTENARIAN May Bennett celebrated her 100th birthday and told how her faith in God had brought her peace.

Mrs Bennett marked the occasion with family at Holmesley Nursing Home in Devon.

She is a former school secretary and the widow of Cecil Bennett, a former head master of St John's School in Weymouth.

Mrs Bennett, who was also secretary of the Bible Society in Weymouth, said: "There were times as a child when I often felt very lonely.

"I remember singing there's a friend for little children, above the bright blue sky'.

"At that moment I knew I was His and He was mine.

"Jesus was my friend then, and His Holy Spirit has been my helper throughout my life."

Mrs Bennett has lived through two world wars, births and bereavement, and changes of address, but she said that her faith had encouraged her and brought her lasting peace.

Mrs Bennett is the mother of the Rev Handel Bennett, of Sidmouth, and Margaret Wright, of Plymouth.

She has three grandchildren - Peter in Zanzibar, Ruth in East Bergholt, Suffolk, and David in Bedford.

Her great-granddaughter Rachel is attending Durham University and greatgrandson Joshua is in sixth form college, in Colchester.