Royal fan Jennifer Hawkins was in prime position today for the Queen Mother's 100th birthday celebrations.

Jennifer, of Worthing, was camping overnight outside Clarence House, the London residence of the Queen Mother, in the hope of getting a glimpse of the most famous centenarian in the world.

The journey from the South Coast to the capital is an annual pilgrimage for Jennifer who has sat on the pavement outside Clarence House every year for the last decade on the Queen Mum's birthday.

Care Assistant Jennifer, 51, of Stopham Close, took up position yesterday and hopes to speak to the Queen Mum and wish her Happy Birthday.

Jennifer said: "It's so important for us to be here to support the Queen Mum. This is our heritage and our background and we should all remember that.

"The Queen Mum reaching 100 years of age is an incredible achievement."

A year ago Jennifer made the trip to London with her friend Julia McCarthy-Fox, of Ham Road, Worthing, for the Queen Mother's 99th birthday.

Julia and her son Zachary, then aged three, helped steal the show by handing over a bunch of colourful blooms.

The toddler, mingling with a group of older children, was picked up by the Queen Mother's steward, who recognised him from previous royal events.

Celebrations are taking place all over Sussex to mark the Queen Mum's birthday.

In Worthing a beacon between the Lido and the Pier will be lit at 6pm and mayor Ann Lynn, will say a few words to mark the occasion.

Flower-seller Doreen Simson, of Time for Flowers, at Three Bridges railway station, will be giving a bunch of flowers to everybody who shares the same birthday.

The Queen Mother will receive a special Post Office delivery of a 100th birthday card from the Queen.

It will be a card similar to those being delivered to 11 other centenarians who share the Queen Mother's birthday, but it will have a personalised message inside.

More than 30 members of the Royal Family will be at Buckingham Palace for a private birthday lunch in the magnificent Bow Room.

As the Queen Mother appears on the Palace balcony to take the nation's salute, a 100th birthday gun salute will be fired from nearby Green Park.