Eating plenty of fruit and vegetables is the key to long life, according to a Newcastle woman who has celebrated her 105th birthday.
Irene Gilbert was born in Paddington London in September 1917 and grew up near Wembley before moving to the North East to be closer to family.
The great-grandmother worked as an accountant clerk, working for big named brands including Heinz and Birdseye.
READ MORE: Newcastle City Council's finance chief faces questions over £15m loan to troubled Thurrock Council
To mark her special milestone, Irene was the centre of attention at a party thrown by staff at Derwent Care Home in Low Westwood.
The care home had balloons and a massive cake with candles to mark her birthday on October 12. Irene's granddaughter, Sally Tolson, said it was incredible to see her grandmother reach the milestone.
The 48-year-old said: "I think it is amazing. It is incredible how much she will have seen in her lifetime."
Irene had two sons, three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
Sally, who lives in North Yorkshire, said her grandmother loved spending time with them and enjoyed sharing stories of her childhood.
Often asked what the secret to a long life is, Irene tells people to eat plenty of fruit and veg.
Sally said: "She has always been a great advocate for eating fresh fruit and vegetables and eating the best quality meat. When people ask how she looks so good that's what she puts it down to.
"She does like a bit of chocolate now though."
Read next:
- Morpeth pervert with 'Jimmy Savile' email address had vile abuse images including torture and rape
- North Shields rapist who struck hours after victim suffered miscarriage jailed for ten years
- Disgusting Sunderland thug who spat in the faces of nurse and police officer jailed
- Scotswood dance teacher who assaulted boyfriend while on suspended sentence for GBH walks free
- South Shields woman left partner with deep knife wounds to hands in row over TV news story
