Red lipstick and stilettos key to life of glamour

Centenarian Marjorie O'Hanlon celebrates her big birthday and shares a few secrets

A woman celebrating her 100th birthday said her top tips for a glamorous life included wearing stilettos and colour-coordinated clothing - and never leaving home without red lipstick.

Marjorie O’Hanlon gave the life advice as she toasted her anniversary in style at her care home in Stowmarket, Suffolk.

The centenarian, who lives at Cedrus House, was born in Blackpool in 1924.

She said “good health, a busy and active life, shopping, eating cake and a whiskey at night” had all contributed to her long life.

Mrs O'Hanlon and her son Martin enjoying a glass of bubbly on her birthday

Mrs O'Hanlon with her husband Paddy on their wedding day

Mrs O'Hanlon attended secretarial college, and when World War Two broke out, she wanted to join the Land Army, but her father would not allow this.

She worked part-time in gown shops before training as an auxiliary nurse at a nursing home.

In her free time she attended dances at the Winter Gardens where she met celebrities like actress Diana Dors and crooner Josef Locke who performed at the Blackpool shows.

She and and her husband Bernard, known as Paddy, met while working in the offices at a Vickers aircraft factory and married in 1944.

They had two children together, Martin and Susan, and now have two grandchildren, Emma and Rebecca, five great-grandchildren, Ayesha, Bradley, Ella, Araminta and Benedict, and two great-great-grandchildren, Millie and Frederick.

A very glamorous Mrs O'Hanlon worked in gown shops before training to be an auxiliary nurse

Still never leaving her home without her red lipstick, Mrs O'Hanlon loved shopping for antiques and going out for afternoon tea with her family, the care home said.

The team at Cedrus House adorned the home with balloons and banners and welcomed her family and friends for the special birthday celebrations.

Deepa Reju, home manager, said: “It was an honour to celebrate Marjorie’s birthday with her.

"She is a beloved resident at Cedrus House, and we all had a lovely time marking this tremendous milestone... and it was a delight to hear her sound advice for living a long and glamorous life.”