IT’S not every day you that you reach the grand old age of a century.

But Barbara McLean MBE showed how it’s done as around 20 friends gathered for her 100th birthday.

Her son Malcolm McLean said she believed the secret of a long life was “keeping busy” and with a large part of her life spent living in Brazil, she has certainly achieved that.

Mrs McLean lived in Rio between 1923 and 1966 after going there with her family at the age of four.

It was there she met her husband Robert Mclean who only lived until the age of 50.

Before he died they had two children Robert and Moira who joined her at her her 100th birthday celebrations.

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Mr Mclean said: “She’s had quite an interesting life and spent along time in Brazil. She was taken over there by her parents after the First World War

“They had initially planned to go to Argentina, but didn’t make it and settled in Rio.

“She grew up in Brazil and worked in a bank there and it was there she met my father.”

Mrs McLean later came back to Paisley in in 1966 and was involved in numerous volunteering jobs.

She joined the Women’s Rural Volunteer Institute in 1976 before she retired in 2004.

Her celebrations on Wednesday continued throughout the day more people from family and friends gathered to join her at Burlington Court Care Home in Queenslie, Glasgow.

Among the scores of cards and well-wishers Mrs Mclean received was a particularly special one from Queen Elizabeth who sent a telegram to mark her special day.

Mrs McLean spent 28 years with the Meals on Wheels service and during that time it is estimated she delivered 90,000 meals.

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But on her special day it was she who felt like a royal as she marked the special occasion by blowing out the candles on her cake and enjoying countless cups of tea.

Liz Munn, activities leader at the home said the 100-year-old was the centre of attention throughout the day.

She said: “It went really well, we had a wee party and about 20 of her friends came along.

“She also received a telegram from the Queen which was arranged by her son.

“We also arranged for a cake which was donated by Greggs the baker who make her a square 100th birthday cake and some sausage rolls.”

Staff at the care home said Mrs McLean, who is blind and hard of hearing, said she was overwhelmed by the occasion

Newspaper clippings were also put on display including one which marked her receiving her first royal honour an MBE .

She received the accolade in the 1985 New Year’s Honours list for her dedication in delivering meals on wheels to hundreds of thousands of people.

Mr McLean added: “I think she had a great day and it was lovely for all her friends and family.”