Florence Large celebrates her 102nd birthday at the Shalom Care Home with senior carer Adam Goodrum. Picture: Denise Bradley

A Norwich woman who celebrated her 102nd birthday yesterday said the secret to a long and happy life is to walk as much as possible and not to drink or smoke.

Flo Large celebrated her milestone birthday at Shalom Care home in Yarmouth Road, Thorpe St Andrew, yesterday.

Mrs Large said: “They are all friendly people here at the care home.

“I like to spend my time reading and being with other people.

“I have had a happy few years, I can’t grumble about any of it.”

Mrs Large was born at home in Heigham Street and worked in the Bally shoe factory in Norwich.

She married John, a long-distance lorry driver, in 1949, at Potters House Church in Norwich.

They spent their married life living in Connaught Road and they enjoyed frequent holidays to Wales, Scotland and the Isle of Wight in their Morris Minor with John’s daughter, June, who regularly visits Mrs Large.

Mrs Large said one of the secrets to a long, happy and healthy life was to walk as much as possible.

She walked from her home to Priscilla Bacon Lodge every day to see her husband before he died in 1993.

Senior carer Adam Goodrum said: “Flo is an integral part of the home.

“She’s a warm and bubbly person with a great sense of humour. She is so important to the home.

“She loves to watch TV – especially the soaps. Her favourites are Emmerdale and Coronation Street.”

Do you know someone who is celebrating their 100th birthday? Contact reporter Lucy Wright on 01603 772439 or email lucy.wright@archant.co.uk