WW2 munitions worker from Fenton celebrates 100th birthday

Gladys Pye was born in Stoke-on-Trent and has spent most of her life in Fenton

A woman who has celebrated her 100th birthday said home-cooked meals were the secret to a long and healthy life.

Gladys Pye, a former Campbell Tiles employee who worked on munitions during World War Two, marked the milestone on Friday with a party at Queen Elizabeth II Court in Fenton.

Mrs Pye was visited by the Lord Mayor of Stoke-on-Trent, Majid Khan.

She urged others to avoid "all the takeaways" to have the best chance of celebrating their centenary.

Mrs Pye was born in Stoke-on-Trent and moved to Fenton as a baby with her family.

During the war she worked in the munitions factory in Swynnerton, Staffordshire.

A party was held on Friday to mark the 100th birthday milestone

Reflecting on what it was like to grow up in the 1930s, she told BBC Radio Stoke: "What mother told you, you did, if not you would be in trouble, you had to behave yourself or else."

Casting her mind back to her days working at Campbell Tiles, she said: "I had just started to work when the war broke out, then all orders were cancelled and all customers had to wait because we were called up for munitions.

"You were conscripted even if you didn't volunteer.

"We did a lot of singing, everyone would join in the singing and that is what helped us through."

Ms Pye still fondly remembers the songs which included Kiss Me Goodnight, Sergeant Major.

Asked for her advice on a long life, she said: "Keep off the drugs and eat what your mother cooks for you instead of having all the takeaways."