Dame Vera Lynn's 100th birthday marked by images of her on white cliffs of Dover

A 350ft image of the Forces' Sweetheart was also in celebration of the release of her new album, Vera Lynn 100.

13:46, UK,Monday 20 March 2017

Image Caption: An image of The Forces' Sweetheart was projected on the white cliffs of Dover

The white cliffs of Dover celebrated in the 1942 wartime song made famous by Dame Vera Lynn had her image projected onto them to mark her 100th birthday.

A 350ft image of Dame Vera, who is affectionately known as The Forces' Sweetheart, also marks the release of her new album, Vera Lynn 100.
The album features new re-orchestrated versions of her most beloved music, including The White Cliffs Of Dover, along with her original vocals.
Dame Lynn said she could not believe she had turned 100, but that "time marches on".
"When I look on my mantelpiece and see these cards wishing me a happy 100th birthday I can't believe it, but there
you are, time marches on," she told the Breakfast Show.
"And this is what I have got up there on my mantelpiece, to remind me of how old I am."

Image Caption: Dame Vera Lynn says she will be thinking of the men who went to war

It is thought the record will make her the first singer to have released a new album as a centenarian.

It also features a previously unreleased version of Sailing which is a surprise find since it was not widely known that she had recorded the track.

Image Caption: The Forces' Sweetheart serves cups of tea to servicemen from a mobile canteen in 1942

Dame Vera said: "It is an unprecedented honour to have my birthday marked in such a beautiful way and I am truly thrilled by this wonderful gesture.
"As we look to the white cliffs on Monday, I will be thinking of all our brave boys - the cliffs were the last thing they saw before heading off to war and, for those fortunate enough to return, the first thing they saw upon returning home.
"I feel so blessed to have reached this milestone and I can't think of a more meaningful way to mark the occasion."

Image Caption: Dame Vera with Sir Cliff Richard during a concert marking the 50th anniversary of the end of World War Two

Eight years ago Dame Vera became the oldest living artist to land a UK number one album and the record also marks her 93 years in the industry after she made her stage debut at the age of seven.

Image Caption: The singer received a warm welcome as she arrived to perform in Trafalgar Square in 1943

Vera Lynn with Del Shannon (right) at the Bristol Hippodrome in 1962