EMMA Vogel, who fled Nazi Germany in the 1930s, received a telegram from the president of her home nation, as well as the Queen, on her 100th birthday yesterday.

Mrs Vogel, of Esh Winning, County Durham, did not arrive in England to stay with Jewish doctor friends from her home town of Dusseldorf until three years after Hitler was defeated in 1948, but that was after she was forced back to Germany from France where she had emigrated with other Jewish friends to escape Hitler in the 1930s.

After settling down as a medical receptionist for her friends, Dr Hertz and Dr Cohen, in Roker Avenue, Sunderland, she never left the country again.

She eventually moved to Malvern Gardens in Roker to keep house for Dr Hertz. She has lived with old friend Christine Wolstenholme in Newhouse Road, since Christmas 1999.

Mrs Wolstenholme said Mrs Vogel had confided the secret of a long life to her.

"She said 'don't drink, don't smoke and don't get married'. She has had two wonderful days and has really enjoyed the experience."

On Sunday, the Mayor of Sunderland Brian Dodds and his wife Sylvia, old friends of Mrs Vogel, visited, and yesterday, Derwentside district councillor Les Clayton congratulated her on behalf of the community. As well as messages from the Queen and the German President, Mrs Vogel received congratulations from the German Embassy.