RESIDENTS at a Winchester care home celebrated a special birthday when a long-standing dweller turned 100.

Molly Allnutt, reached her centenary on September 30, but decided to delay her party at Tegfield House so everyone could attend.

Relatives of friends now passed, who Mrs Allnutt met while at Tegfield, were there to share her day.

When asked about the success of her longevity, Mrs Allnutt said: “Some of it’s just luck but it’s also the support of the loving family. I’ve got people here who I haven’t seen for years.”

Born in Suffolk to an accountant and educated in Salisbury, Mrs Allnutt moved to Winchester when she met her husband, Percy, in Hursley.

They married and moved to Greenhill Road, Fulflood, in 1938, where she lived until she moved to the care home eight years ago.

Her son Derek, 68, a retired accountant now living in West Wellow, said: “She went from Salisbury to Hursley where she met her husband. They married on September 3 1938, almost a year to the day before the war broke out.

“She’s done fantastically well. No one would think she’s 100.”

Now a great grandmother to two, Mrs Allnutt recalled fond memories from over the years of visits to the Cornish seaside with her son and daughter, Jill.

Cllr Jeffs said: “She’s an incredible lady, alive and well, she’s got her card from the Queen. She’s been just incredible, doubt I’ll see that age! I believe she’s been looked after here extremely well. Congratulations to the lady, a wonderful achievement.”

“I do wish her all the best. May long the celebrations continue.”