The great-grandmother celebrated her latest milestone with a small party at the Canford Manor Nursing Home in Lee-on-the-Solent.

But up until a few weeks ago Mrs Martin was still living by herself with the help of carers at home in nearby Seymour Road in Lee-on-the-Solent.

Staff at the nursing home in Manor Way decorated its lounge with birthday signs and balloons as people popped in to see her on Tuesday.

She said: 'I had a lovely birthday with a lot of visitors. A lot of my family and my friends came to see me.'

And she had a little drop of Champagne as well as presents of flowers, chocolates and a cardigan.

Daughters Joan Kingswell and Margaret Young and their families were among the visitors. Her third daughter, Freda Ferrier, lives in Australia. She also has nine grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.

She added: 'I have a great family, and my husband Alfred was a great man.

'I have been very lucky with my family and I have had a good life.

'I've been to Australia three times to see my youngest daughter, I liked it but I wouldn't stay there because most of my family's here and I'm proud to be an Englishwoman.'

Grandson Jonathan Young, of Beaconsfield Road, Fareham, said: 'A lot of the family turned up and it was a good afternoon, I think she really enjoyed it.'

Mrs Martin was born in Gosport but lived in North End, Portsmouth, for many years before settling with her husband, Fred, in Lee-on-the-Solent. Like her father and four brothers, Fred was in the Royal Marines.

For her 100th birthday last year Mrs Martin had a short break and a party at the Alverbank Hotel in Gosport.