VOLUNTEERS have got together to celebrate the 100th birthday of an iconic wartime singer.

The fourth Contact the Elderly group launched in Thurrock and kicked off life by celebrating Dame Vera Lynn’s 100th birthday at Headon Hall, in Grays.

It saw members of the group, organised to help isolated people, travel back to the 1940s with the help of singer Angela Gilbey, who gave her services free of charge.

A spokesman for the group told: “Thurrock Contact the Elderly launched Thurrock 4 today with a tea party joined by Thurrock 3 celebrating Vera Lynn’s 100th birthday with singer Angela Gilbey singing songs from the 40's.

“A big thank you to Angela for her lovely singing for which she did for free, Thurrock Enterprise for lending us their mini bus, Sheltered Housing for use of Headon Hall, and all our lovely, dedicated volunteers for providing a delicious tea. We also celebrated six guests birthdays today.

“A special thank you to all our guests from Thurrock 3 and 4 for making this tea party so memorably wonderful singing and dancing the afternoon away.”

Dame Vera Lynn, widely known as "the Forces' Sweetheart", is celebrating her birthday today, and will be releasing an album later this year.