A woman who served food to The Beatles and Tom Jones has celebrated her 100th birthday.

Kathryn Lake, who worked for more than 20 years at ATV Studios in Clarendon Road, Borehamwood, celebrated her birthday at Fountain Court in Brook Road today.

More than 50 friends and former colleagues gathered to share cake and wine and reminisce about the old days.

Ms Lake moved to Burleigh Avenue 50 years ago and worked from 1964 in the canteen at ATV Studios until it was sold to the BBC in 1983.

She said: “I had great fun working there. I met so many famous people, including the Osmonds.

"Borehamwood is nice, though it has changed so much. It used to be empty then."

Linda Sherwood, who managed the bar at the studios, has fond memories of working with Ms Lake.

She said: “Everyone knew everyone at the studios. We’d have shows like Sunday Night at the London Palladium rehearse at the studios and we’d all go down to London to watch it live.

“Kitty is very much loved. She never married but she looked after all our children and our children’s children. She remembers my granddaughter’s birthdays better than I can, she’s that sharp.”

The party was organised by Deborah Higgins, whose grandmother was Ms Lake’s best friend.

Mrs Higgins said: “We called Kitty ‘Aunty’ and she was like another grandmother to us, she was always there when we were growing up.

“She moved to Fountain Court ten years ago after her house was broken into three times. She has a lovely life here now and she is looked after very well.

“We’re having an afternoon tea for her. I never expected so many people would come.”