A GOOD sense of humour, good food and willpower are the keys to living to 100, according Doris Hulbert.

Eldene woman Doris should know, because she celebrated her 100th birthday with friends and family at Charles MacPherson Gardens on Saturday.

The great-grandmother-of-five still cooks herself a hot meal every day and takes a trip out into town on the bus every morning.

“I feel older than 21, I must admit,” she said.

“It is important to have a good sense of humour, good food and willpower.

“I have one good real meal every day. I cook it myself. I have meat and vegetables.

“I don’t worry all that much either.

“What happens happens. You can’t do much about it.”

Doris, a grandmother-of-four, was born in Wales on May 11, 1913 to Caroline and Albert Say.

Her father served in the First World War from its start and she didn’t see him again until 1918.

Doris worked in the hotel trade in Bath and moved to Swindon in 1933, where she met her husband, Jeff.

The couple married at Swindon Register Office in 1935 and had four children, two of whom are still alive.

Jeff was a manager for Usher’s Brewery and Doris stopped working when they tied the knot.

They were married for 27 years but Jeff died in 1962 at the age of 58.

Doris’ son David, 73, of Penhill, said: “It is amazing she has got to 100.

“She gets on with things and she has a cooked meal every day of her life, regardless of anything.

“We are delighted that she has reached 100, the whole family are.

“She didn’t want a party at all. She had to be persuaded to do something. She keeps saying ‘what’s all the fuss about?’”

Doris’ granddaughter, Sandy, 45, of Carterton, said: “I think she is absolutely amazing. “She has got more life in her than a lot of people younger than her.

“She goes to town every day without question. She loves going to the charity shops. She is very independent.

“She is a wonderful grandmother.

“She has got plenty of advice. You can go to her if you have got a problem.”

The party on Saturday included cake and a buffet.