OVER the years, she worked as a cook for York’s former Terry’s restaurant, for a Harley Street consultant, for the sister of the Terry’s chocolate factory boss and for a York school.

Now Elsie Hall, who celebrates her 100th birthday today, still cooks for herself in her own home in Lilac Avenue, off Hull Road.

But for a special treat in the run-up to her big day, she was whisked off to the North York Moors for a slap-up meal at the Lion Inn at Blakey Ridge before heading over to Whitby.

The trip was organised by Heworth travel agents Quartz Travel in association with York taxi firm 659659, to mark their fifth and tenth anniversaries respectively.

Quartz boss Paul Smith said: “We wanted to thank York in a different way for its support through our trading years and put back something back into the community by inviting Elsie out for lunch.”

Elsie said: “It was wonderful. I was treated like royalty at the pub. The chap that owned the place had got me a beautiful bouquet of flowers and a card, and we had a lovely lunch at a special table they had set up for me and my friend Linda Maloney.”

Elsie, nee Foottit, whose husband David died 42 years ago, said she had difficulties walking, but was otherwise fit and healthy, and cooked her own meals, although her neighbour Wendy Fisher did her cleaning and got her shopping. She put her longevity down to doing everything in moderation.

She said she had worked as a cook for Frances Hewitt, sister of Terry’s boss Noel Terry, and briefly worked at Betty’s before moving to the Terry’s restaurant just across St Helen’s Square.

She also worked for an eye specialist based in Harley Street and finished off her career working for 21 years at Fulford Cross School.