A great grandmother who escaped the German occupation of her home as a child is celebrating her 100th birthday.
Jeanne Hitchin was living in Iseghem, Belgium, with her family when the Germans invaded in 1914 and occupied the country at the start of the First World War.
Mrs Hitchin's father decided to flee and he, his wife and their six children left through the back door as the Germans came in through the front.
Her father paid a fisherman to bring the family to England where Mrs Hitchin settled to bring up her own family.
Mrs Hitchin, who is 100 today, lives with her daughter, Daphne Foster, 66, in Sackville Road, Hove.
She has another daughter, June, three grandchildren and two great granddaughters.
Mrs Hitchin received a card from the Queen congratulating her on her landmark birthday, which she will celebrate with friends and family.
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