A grandmother who will turn 102 next month says the secret to her long life is sunshine and dancing.
Dinkie Flowers was born three years after the end of the First World War and has seen 21 Prime Ministers come and go, with Rishi Sunak the 22nd in office.
She has also lived through the reigns of five monarchs as George V was on the throne when she was born.
On May 7 Dinkie - from Shoreham, West Sussex, will turn 102 and plans to celebrate with a tea party and also hopes to raise money for local charity The Gateway Hub.
Dinkie, a former professional dancer and acrobatic skater who once showed off her skills around the world, said: “Dancing has helped keep me healthy, everyone should do something, they shouldn’t be on their bottom all day.
“I’ll do a little bit of dancing, I can’t stop dancing you see.
“I recommend dancing and moving to stay fit and healthy, not sitting down all day, I couldn’t do that.
"Dancing keeps you alive and dancing and being in the sun makes me happy.”
Dinkie will be raising money by doing one hour sessions of keep fit and dance for three days each week.
She added: “Dancing is my life, I love it.
“I’m raising the money for charity because it’s a local charity and I like to do it.”
During Dinkie’s dance career she performed for the Royals Family, for which she received a letter of thanks from the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip.
Lesley, Dinkie’s carer said: “Last year I did a huge party for her birthday so this year it will be a bit more lowkey again.
“It will be a few friends around and afternoon tea in the garden - we do it properly, we’re going to get the china out and dress the table, do it really nicely.
“We'll be doing the typical sandwiches like if you go to the Ritz for afternoon tea - cucumber sandwiches with crusts cut off, scones, cream cakes, all done in the afternoon tea style with china cups and proper tea.
“A little bit of music and some family and friends but people tend to drop in cards and things for her.
“She's known very well around Shoreham, she's taught generations around here and people have danced with her for years.”
