Avoiding cigarettes and alcohol has been the secret of a long life for a 'kind and gentle' great grandmother who has celebrated becoming a centenarian.

Marjorie Hunt was joined by friends and relatives to mark her 100th birthday at a Cromer care home on March 25.

The occasion was made extra special with cards from the Queen and work and pensions secretary Stephen Crabb.

She moved to north Norfolk nine years ago with late husband Fred, who passed away at the grand old age of 102, to be nearer their family.

After living in Roughton, Marjorie later joined Fred at Faldonside Lodge residential home. When Fred passed away in 2014 the devoted couple had been married for almost 74 years.

Tying the knot in 1940 Marjorie spent most of the Second World War in Devon and Cornwall, where her husband was stationed. The couple later returned to her home town of Cleethorpes where Fred owned a television shop.

Mother of two Marjorie, has four grandchildren and four great grandchildren. Son Gil said: 'Mother did not smoke or drink, two things that a lot of us do, and lived fairly quiet life over the years.

'She is in good physical health and I would not be surprised to see her get to 102.

'Dad was in the RAF during the war and flew as a radar officer in bombing raids over Germany. He took up flying when he was 52 in a Tiger Moth and drove very quickly.

'Mum is a very kind gentle lady, generous in her ways and thinks about others before herself.

'I and my sister Jean are very fortunate to have both parents survive to this magnificent age.'