MISS Frances Garrad celebrated her 100th birthday on Boxing Day at Pendruccombe Nursing Home in Launceston, where she has lived since April 2008.

She dedicated her working life to being a police officer in the Metropolitan Police Force, serving from May 24, 1943 until July 28, 1968, and was recognised for being the only woman from the Metropolitan Police to have reached her 100th birthday by the National Association of Retired Police Officers (NARPO). They sent her a statuette comm­emorating the occasion, and this was accompanied by a card from Her Majesty the Queen which offered her con­gratulations.

For an insight into Frances' remarkable police career, see this week's edition of the 'Post'.