Hard work, knitting and a little tipple of sherry every now and again.

That’s what May Collins puts her long life down to according to granddaughter Sue Debnam.

The widower celebrated her 102 birthday last Wednesday with family, staff and residents at Elvy Court in London Road, Sittingbourne, where she lives.

The lifelong town resident was born at Chesley Farm, Newington, and moved to Iwade in 1933 after marrying her husband Bob at Hartlip church.

She went into service at Hartlip for a Mrs Luck and also for the head mistress of Hartlip school, and later held jobs at Hogwood tea rooms in Sittingbourne and the Woolpack Inn at Iwade.

Sadly, her husband Bob died in 1962. Mrs Collins never remarried, but her granddaughter, Sue Debnam, said she has led a busy and fulfilled life at her home in Gayhurst Drive, Sittingbourne, which she moved to in 1976.

Mrs Collins has one daughter, one granddaughter, one great granddaughter and three great-great-grandchildren.

She lived at home until she had a stroke at the age of 97, when she moved to the care home.

Her family are long-lived, as her mother died at the age of 92 and her two sisters both died at the age of 95.

Mrs Debnam, 53, of Regency Court, Sittingbourne, said: “We had a little cake, flowers and balloons. She’s very happy and the staff at the home all look after her really well. Without then she wouldn’t be here now.”