Family celebrates 108-year-old's birthday in Newcastle-under-Lyme

Ivy Ashwell had "got such a kind, giving nature", daughter Gloria Chapman said

A woman who has turned 108 has said if there is a secret to long-life, she is not aware of it.

Ivy Ashwell spent the big day at her care home in Newcastle-under-Lyme, in Staffordshire.

Her daughter Gloria Chapman said she would be bringing plenty of cards along to show her on Wednesday.

She described her mother as "one of the loveliest people you could meet" and said she had a great sense of humour.

Once a keen performer in amateur dramatics and choirs, Ms Ashwell was also president of a local Girls' Guildry - today better known as the Girls Brigade.

"She's sung... in church without any accompaniments and she [sung]... in all these pantomimes that she's been in," Ms Chapman, from Worcester, said.

"I know she's my mum, but... she's got such a kind, giving nature.

"She's always been loving and you don't hear her sort of criticising people."

Popular with the staff of the care home, Ms Chapman added that her mother still had her hair done each week and drank a sherry every day with her lunch.

Asked what was the secret to her long life, she replied: "I don't know if there is one."

Her daughter, however, suggested it was "all in the genes".