THE Queen Mother has lived a remarkable life through a remarkable century. She has been an enduring ambassador for Britain since she married Prince Albert at Westminster Abbey 77 years ago. As a Duchess, as the Queen and now as the Queen Mother she has enjoyed the undying affection of her people.

We have a particular fondness for the Queen Mother in North Yorkshire. She was, after all, the Duchess of York before her husband was crowned King George VI in 1936.

The Queen Mother has visited the county on numerous occasions. Every time she has been received with the warmest of welcomes. People love the Queen Mother because the Queen Mother loves people. In her days as the Duchess, she was a worldwide star, the Diana of her day. She has gone on to earn the nation's respect for her dedication to duty and her devotion to her family.

Her tours of the bomb-damaged East End of London during the Blitz secured her particular admiration from the generation who lived through that traumatic time. Yet she is a favourite with young and old alike.

That is why it was churlish of three York councillors to refuse to support the city's message of congratulations to the Queen Mother. Their personal views are unlikely to be shared by most of their constituents.

The Queen Mother deserves all our congratulations today. While the Royal Family has made the headlines often for the wrong reasons in reason years, she has given a flawless performance.

York is paying its own special tribute. New bells dedicated to the Queen Mother were ringing out birthday greetings from the Minster today. As she is patron of the Friends of York Minster that could not be more fitting.

We are making our own contribution with the 16-page colour supplement with tonight's newspaper. We take this opportunity to join with the rest of the nation in saying: Happy 100th birthday, Ma'am.