A grandmother who lived through two world wars has celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by family and friends.

Born to Helen Augusta and German national Emil Haas, Elizabeth – known as Betty – Mann grew up in the family home in Melrose Avenue, Cricklewood.

The family later moving to Burnley Road, Dollis Hill in Brent.

Shortly after her father’s death in 1934, Betty spent three months with her cousin near Meissen, in Germany, helping with her cousin’s new baby, honing her German speaking skills and learning to ski.

She said: “At the time I was not really conscious of the things that were going on, although when I went back in 1936 there was much more talk about politics.

“I remember that my father had been most upset at events in Germany.”

On her return to England, she married Charles Mann MBE, a squadron leader in the RAF Volunteer Reserve who had recently returned from service in India.

They had one child, a son Christopher, and she became a housewife, only returning to work as a civil servant at the Land Registry in Harrow once her son was in his teens.

After John had a fall in 1969, the couple bought a bungalow in Glebe Road, Stanmore, in 1973 – where Mrs Mann still lives alone today after Mr Mann died in 1982.

She became involved in several community groups, helping to restore the Bernays Memorial Hall which was then in danger of being demolished and redeveloped.

On May 25, Mrs Mann celebrated her birthday at Stanmore Golf Club, surrounded by friends and family including her son, grandson and great grandchildren – many of whom had flown from abroad to be with her for the celebration.