One hundred years old thanks to hard work and healthy diet (From This is Hampshire)

One hundred years old thanks to hard work and healthy diet

12:00pm Sunday 30th September 2007 in

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HARD work and a healthy diet are the keys to a long life, according to Southampton's latest 100-year-old.

Gladys Budd celebrated her landmark birthday at Whitehaven Lodge care home in Millbrook surrounded by friends and family.

She said she was delighted to receive a card from the Queen and had not expected such a fuss on her big day.

Her son Peter told the Daily Echo that Gladys lived much of her early life in Eastleigh where she remembers buying cigarettes for First World War soldiers before they left for battle.

She worked as an operator for the fire service during the Second World War before giving birth and becoming a full-time mother in 1943.

In the 1950s she helped her husband Jon, who has now died, in his role as caretaker at Thornhill Infant School. Now she has a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren and is enjoying being the spotlight of attention.

Peter said: "She has really enjoyed the day and was very excited to open her card from the Queen. She also enjoyed opening presents from family and friends. It was a great party."