KEEN dancer Audrey Hayes was the star of the show when carers put on a party for her 101st birthday.

The Strictly fan couldn’t spend her special day with family because of the Covid pandemic so staff and volunteers at Ladymead Care Home in Wroughton gave her the next best thing with decorations, flags and a personalised cake.

She said: “It wasn’t really a birthday as such because I’m such an old age so I’m not really thinking in terms of that.

“It was very good of them to arrange it, it was very kind of them. Most of the presents given to me were edible things like chocolate and biscuits as I can eat them but I’ve gone off a few things as they have changed so much.

“I used to do ballet from a young age as my parents liked it. I watch Strictly Come Dancing every week. It’s not like dancing was then, it was similar but how many people can do what these dancers do,” said the mum of five.

Audrey’s daughter Gillian said: “They set aside the lounge with the residents and had a lovely spread. She’s only been there for under a year so it was lovely, the Swindon Carers Centre have been wonderful.

“I was caring for my mother for two years before she went into the home which was quite emotional. I rang every week during lockdown, if only one of us could go in it would make such a difference, carers can only do so much and their hands are tied. My son and I Skyped her on the day with her other siblings phoning her.

“She used to dance which she got into through the theatre, so she has been in many productions. But now she lacks getting around, it is most frustrating because her brain is telling her to do something but her limbs won’t let her do it.

Audrey, who is originally from London and was the youngest of five children with three brothers and a sister, got married in 1939 to Dennis when she was only 19. Dennis died when he was 69.

She spent most of her working life mainly in secretarial jobs and devoted herself to her children

She thinks the secret of her long life is down to “enjoying yourself and making the most of things.

“People have asked me that but I have had a very happy life that’s the reason. My marriage was very happy too.”

Swindon Carers Centre provided surprise gifts for the big day and Audrey’s birthday cake was donated by Asda.