HER name’s Alice, and a community came together to celebrate her 100th birthday yesterday.

The special centenarian is, in fact, a steam tractor and belongs to Stapehill resident, Stephen Parker.

To mark the engine’s centenary year, locals of Chestnut Grove fired up the barbecue and watched Alice trundle up and down the private road in all her glory.

Guests then enjoyed some birthday cake, which featured an impressive icing replica of the restored steam engine.

In her working days during the Second World War, Alice was used as a steamroller on airfields such as the one at Tarrant Rushton, near Blandford.

Stephen, an engineer who comes from a long line of steam enthusiasts, said his father, David, acquired Alice in 1978.

Now, in her retirement years, she still makes occasional appearances at local fundraising events.

“I’m the fourth generation of my family to be involved with steam engines,” Stephen said.

“My great-grandfather drove a steam engine for a living in the First World War, hauling timber from Windsor Great Park into Ringwood.

“Once it’s in your veins, it just goes down from generation to generation. It’s quite addictive.

“We’ve got this engine, and my brother’s got one as well.”

Alice was made by Basingstoke company Wallis & Steevens, which was founded in 1856 and produced agricultural equipment, traction engines and steam and diesel road rollers.

Explaining the work involved in getting Alice up-and-running, Stephen said: “It’s about two hours of work cleaning her and getting her ready. After you light the fire, it takes about an hour-and-a-half to get her up to full working pressure.”

The Chestnut Grove Residents’ Association helped organise the neighbourhood party on Sunday, which was attended by dozens of people.

Youngsters were even treated to a ride on the steam tractor.

Stephen’s wife, Paula, said the local community “really embrace Alice”.

“Commonly, we might bring Alice out for a barbecue for the local people to enjoy. They love it. One of our neighbours, who’s in his nineties, remembers the steam engines all working, which is great.”