101-year-old Winifred Manger celebrates her birthday with the Mayor and son, Ron Manger, and daughter, Gillian Burgin, at Derham House, Upminster.

A Romford woman celebrated her 101st birthday last week.

Winifred Manger, who lives at Derham House, Harwood Hall Lane, Upminster, celebrated the milestone with close family and friends, staff and the Mayor of Havering Cllr Melvin Wallace.

Her family think that the secret of her long life is keeping active – before moving to the home last year she was a keen gardener, would cycle and she swam a mile a week until she was in her 90s.

Her son Ron, 78, said: “She used to leave her house in Romford and go swimming at Ilford Swimming Baths, well into her 90s.

“When she was about 85, they said she’d been there so often that they gave her a free ticket and she didn’t have to pay.”

Winifred, whose maiden name was Kelland, moved to Romford from Slough, Berkshire, when she was 20, so she could be near her husband George, who passed away shortly after their golden wedding anniversary.

The couple had two children – Ron and Gillian – and Winifred now has six grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren.

Ron added: “A great time was had by all, and Derham House have been marvellous.”