Great-great-great-gran Hilda Luck's 111th birthday was always going to be a family affair.

But then friends, neighbours and even the postman popped in to wish the supercentenarian, the oldest person in Kent, many happy returns.

Hilda celebrated her big day at her Rainham home, where she has lived for the last 60 years.

And her guests made sure she was spoiled rotten with chocolates, flowers and cards, including one delivered by her postie from King Charles.

Born in 1914, the year the First World War broke out, Hilda has led a full and healthy life bringing up her two sons in Medway.

Her eldest, Ronnie, 80, said despite her age, Hilda remains “fiercely independent” and has chosen to remain at the home in Arthur Road which she shared with her late husband, Ron.

After leaving school, Hilda, who was born in Gillingham, got a job as one of the first female gas welders at Chatham Dockyard during the Second World War.

It was there she met Ron, a boiler maker, who died in 1988.

In her younger years, Hilda was a keen gardener and won numerous rosettes for her fuchsias.

She was also a good cook and could “turn her hand to anything”, according to Ronnie.

She loved travelling, enjoying trips to Europe and Turkey and family holidays nearer to home at Leysdown and Dymchurch.

These days she keeps her mind active by doing word searches and reading romantic novels.

And although she describes most television programmes as “rubbish”, she does enjoy wildlife documentaries and is a fan of Countryfile.

She attributes her longevity to the fact that she’s never drunk alcohol or smoked, but has a sweet tooth and a penchant for chocolate.

For decades, she used Rainham Cabs for her weekly food shop at the town’s precinct and trips to the hair salon.

Since Covid, she is more wary about venturing out in case she falls, but she still has a hairdresser and podiatrist come to the house.

Her son-in-law Robbie, who lives nearby, and Ronnie, who’s in Whitstable, visit her regularly, and long-standing neighbours look out for her.

Ronnie said: “There was a steady flow of family, friends and well-wishers throughout the day, including the postman who brought her around some chocolates and the card from His Majesty.

“Mum was able to converse and reminisce over her exceptional lifetime.

“She may not be able to do so much with her hands these days, but there’s nothing wrong with her mind.”

Among those tucking into her birthday spread, including a cake, were Ronnie, his wife Vanessa, granddaughter Jemma, her husband Phil with their children Olivia and Cooper, grandson Stephen with his wife Rumi and their daughter Sophia.

She received a WhatsApp video call from relatives in South Africa, including the family’s newest member great-great-great-grandson, newly-born Axel.

It is estimated there are currently around 170 living centenarians in the UK aged more than 107, around 75 aged over 108 and about 30 who have surpassed 109.

A supercentenarian is a person who has lived to the age of 110 years or older.

What happened in the year Hilda Luck was born - 1914

> The First World War broke out when Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia

> The first colour film, The World, the Flesh and the Devil was shown in London

> The first international figure skating tournament was held in New Haven, America

> Mahatma Gandhi was first arrested for campaigning for Indian rights in South Africa.

> The US President made Mother’s Day a national holiday

> The House of Lords rejects the women’s Suffragette movement