MARY Gregory celebrated her 100th birthday with her family around her and told your Worcester News the secret to reaching the milestone was a glass of sherry every night.

Mrs Gregory, who celebrated her 100th birthday yesterday, was one of seven children and lived in Shrewsbury helping her mother look after her siblings.

Later she worked as a parlour maid and nanny.

She met her future husband Richard when she was 17 years old and 15 years later they married and lived in Dines Green, Worcester.

They were married for 34 years before Mr Gregory died in 1972.

"I always have a glass of sherry at night, and I have porridge and a piece of toast in the morning," she said. "I have two wonderful daughters; they will do anything for me.

"I never thought I would see this day."

The centenarian, who has five grandchildren and eight great grand-children, still enjoys knitting and crochet. She has been teaching knitting to some of the staff at The Lawns nursing home in Kempsey, where she has been living for the last three years.

Mrs Gregory celebrated her birthday with her family who had travelled from across the country to be with her. Her daughter Norrie Hamilton said: I always thought she would make it."

She also enjoyed a special lunch with her one remaining sibling, 93-year-old Ruby, and a party with other residents at The Lawns.