THE Modbury branch of the Royal British Legion was surprised and delighted when a birthday message of congratulations sent to the UK’s best-known 90 year old received a reply.

Members decided to write to the Queen earlier this year, offering their congratulations on reaching the milestone.

And they were shocked when, weeks later, they received a reply from Her Majesty herself.

Signed Elizabeth R, the letter said: ’I much appreciated the kind words you have sent on behalf of the Modbury Branch of The Royal British Legion on the occasion of my ninetieth birthday.

’As your Patron, I was grateful for your thoughtfulness in writing as you did and, in return, send you all my warm good wishes.’

Branch chairman Stanley Pratt said members were over the moon to receive the letter, which was accompanied by a separate epistle from the Queen’s secretary. He added the pleasant surprise was the icing on the cake of what promised to be another very successful year for the branch’s 75 members.

Mr Pratt said: ’Modbury RBL has been in being for many years and is actually one of the few branches left in the area - we’ve kind of collected all the little village branches that have had to close. But we’re still operating, and in fact the poppy appeal, one of our main objectives actually had a record breaking year last year.

’This year our stall at the May fair was also the best ever in terms of takings, so all being well we’re on the way to doing even better this year.

’But what we do recognise is that RBL members’ age is going up, and we could do with a few more youngsters. These days, you don’t have to have served to become a member.

’The social side is very good, we have a night once every two months in the Modbury Club.’

Modbury residents and RBL members will commemmorate the 100 year anniversary of the start of the Battle of the Somme at the official opening of the town’s new garden of remembrance. The event is taking place on Friday, July 1 at 11.30am at the garden, which is in the Queen Elizabeth II Recreation Field.