However, they have received a letter from the iconic wartime singer typed and sent by her personal assistant.

It read, “Thank you so much for the beautiful handmade birthday card, which took pride of place on my mantelpiece.

“It was very special to see your happy faces and to know that you ‘keep smiling through’.

“In these difficult times, it’s so important to smile and the beautiful yellow flowers in your photos are bright and cheery.

“I send you all my very best wishes and thank you again for taking the trouble to produce such a very special birthday card.”

Resident Doris Storey, who celebrated her 101st birthday in lockdown just after Dame Vera became 103, said, “It was so lovely that we did the card and photoshoot, and that Vera Lynn replied. She would obviously have had lots of cards.”

When Julie reminded Doris that her birthday and Vera’s were around the same time, she laughed and said, “Not bad for a couple of old ones.”