A WIDOW whose test pilot husband was once congratulated by Winston Churchill has celebrated her 100th birthday.

Gwen Duke, who has lived in Lymington for more than 30 years, was presented with a cake in the shape of a 1954 Hunter aircraft.

Gwen and future husband Neville met in a pub in Windsor and were married in 1947.

Neville took part in the 1952 Farnborough Airshow just hours after one of his closest friends, fellow pilot John Derry, was killed in a crash.

He later received a congratulatory letter from Winston Churchill.

The prime minister said: "It was characteristic of you to go up yesterday after the shocking accident. Accept my salute. Yours, in grief."

Neville was taken ill during a flight 13 years ago and died later that day in hospital.