A Merseyside woman set to celebrate her 106th birthday has revealed the secret to living and long and happy life.
Kathleen Fairhurst - known as Kath, was born on February 12, 1914 just months before the start of the First World War.
Kath who is a resident at Pines Residential Home in Birkenhead, was originally born in Sheffield but spent most of her life in Ainsdale, Southport.
The 105-year-old who will turn 106 on February 12, studied at Homerton College in Cambridge, who she still regularly stays in touch with today through letters in the post.
When asked what her advice would be for living a long and happy life, Kath said: "Always follow your own wishes."
To celebrate her 106th birthday on February 12, staff at Pines Residential Home in Wirral will be hosting an afternoon tea party for Kath.
Maria Saville, Activities Coordinator at the care home, said: "It's unbelievable when you talk to her, you wouldn't believe she is going to be 106.
"She is so sharp.
"She said her advice for having a long and happy life is to "always follow your own wishes.
"She said she did everything that she wanted to do in her life. Her work was her main focus."
Kath worked as a teacher in special educational needs, with her last job being at Sandfield Park School in Liverpool where she was the head teacher from the day the school opened in 1961.
In 1956, Kath married her husband Nev who worked in the head office of the Cunard in Liverpool at the time.
Maria added: "She was the first head mistress at a school for children with special educational needs.
"She still regularly corresponds with the faculty at Cambridge. She'll send them letters and there's always letters coming back for her."
When she was younger, Kath enjoyed ballroom dancing and was very good at embroidery which she only stopped doing in her nineties.
Today, Kath loves being pampered by staff at the care home in Wirral and playing card games including Snap and Rummy.
Maria added: "She loves having her hair and nails done. She sees you coming into her room with a box of nail varnish and she puts her hands out.
"And she likes playing card games like Rummy and Snap. If you have a game of snap with her she will take your hand off to get that card first.
"When she got a letter from the Queen when she was 100 she was absolutely made up. She loves the Queen and the Royal Family.
"She is a really lovely woman."
