A glass of sherry is the secret to Norah Merrett’s long life, according to her family.

The "fun-loving" great-grandmother celebrated her 100th birthday on Tuesday 30 December, with the help of St Albans Mayor and most of her family.

The centenarian grew up in Weston-super-Mare. She met her late husband Frederickin 1938 at Hayling Island holiday camp, and the pair married two years later.

Mrs Merrett has two daughters, four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. She lives for six months of the year with her daughter Jean Hirt in St Albans then with her other daughter Margaret Rickard in Suffolk for the following six months.

Mrs Hirt said: "Mum loves life. She enjoys games of scrabble and is a WI member. She is very family orientated, and the great-grandchildren definitely keep her young.

"We are very grateful to the Mayor for helping make my mother’s 100th birthday such a special occasion.

"She is a fun-loving person who enjoys life and it is very hard to believe that she has reached her century."

Councillor Geoff Harrison, Mayor of St Albans, visited Mrs Merrett to offer his congratulations and to present her with a bouquet of flowers.

He said: "It’s a privilege to share in Mrs Merrett’s 100th birthday celebrations.

"She is an example to us all as she enjoys life to the full."