Neighbours, friends, and family flocked to their doorsteps and the street to celebrate the 100th birthday of Joyce Quarrie - at a distance.

With a glass of champagne or Schloer in hand, more than 20 people stood 6 feet apart to sing happy birthday to Joyce, from Carlisle, on her centenary birthday.

Surprise filled Joyce’s face as she stepped out of her front door and realised what was happening.

“I couldn’t believe it, I was absolutely amazed,” she said.

“I had no idea that quite so many people knew.”

It was a socially-distanced affair that Joyce’s daughters had been planning for a while.

They asked people living on their mother’s street to come out at 1pm and sing happy birthday.

Drivers going along the busy main road were beeping their horns in celebration.

“They kept it very quiet, it wasn’t until I opened up the front door and saw everybody there, I couldn’t believe it,” she said.

“I thought I wasn’t that well known.”

Joyce was born on May 22, 1920 in Barrow-in-Furness, the youngest of eight, she went on to work as a wages clerk at Vickers Armstrong Shipyard even throughout the Second World War.

She moved to Carlisle in 1956 with her husband Earnest and their two children - Pam and Jean. Their third child, Alison, came along a bit later.

“I lived through the war and I got married during the war,” remarked Joyce.

“We worked hard but we still had time for pleasure.”

There aren’t many ways to properly celebrate any birthday during the lockdown, let alone a 100th birthday.

But, lots of bunches of flowers and three birthday cakes seems like the best way to spend it.

It’s not a centenary birthday unless you receive a card from the Queen.

“I got it this morning, it’s lovely,” she said.

“She’s all in pink with a bouquet of flowers in her hand and she’s smiling.

“I got one on our diamond wedding anniversary and she was in yellow so I have had two now.”

But, what is Joyce’s secret to a long-life?

“My husband used to say just keep breathing.”