A CENTENARIAN had her wish granted when she received a special message from her favourite TV personality.

Vera Middleton, of Little Oaks Care Home in Little Braxted, watches ITV’s Judge Rinder every day.

The courtroom-style show depicts Robert Rinder as a fictional arbitrator overseeing civil cases.

It has always been Vera’s dream to speak to the famous ‘judge’.

The 100-year-old’s wish was made true thanks to Suzie’s Gift and Tea Shop in Maldon and the Wishing Washing Line project.

A spokesman for the shop said: “We contacted Judge Rinder and asked for him to contact Vera and he recorded a message personally for her.

“She loves Judge Rinder and watches his show every day.

“Just goes to show, wishes can come true even at 100.”

In the video, Mr Rinder said: “Now, I hope you’re going to put down a Jaffa Cake for a second and let me say hello to you because I believe you like my show which means you’ve got brilliant judgment.

“Not only do you have brilliant judgment, you are a fantastic ballroom dancer.

“Sadly I’m not so I was hoping to come and have a ballroom lesson with you.

“Who knows, I suspect you can teach me a very great deal.

“Stay completely and utterly splendid.”

Vera was born on October 17, 1918 and lived in Witham for most of her life.

When she left school, she worked in a glove factory and a hat shop before being a cinema usherette at the Rio cinema in Burnham.

Vera married and had twin daughters and a son.

She was a keen ballroom dancer and enjoyed many evenings dancing the waltz.

Still at her age she enjoys dancing with the staff at the care home.

Her family said: “She has a fantastic sense of humour and likes to have fun.

“Her favourite colour is blue and she loves the smell of fresh roses and Lilly of the Valley.

“Whilst watching her favourite show she likes having a nice cup of tea in a fine china cup and saucer with a Jaffa Cake or two.”

The Wishing Washing Line project allows care home residents to write a wish they would like granted and this wish is added to a washing line in their local supermarket for shoppers to help grant.