In her trademark pearls and brooch Olive Lord celebrated her 100th birthday in less than traditional style - from behind a drum kit.

Eastern Daily Press: Olive Lord celebrates her 100th birthday by playing the drums.Olive Lord celebrates her 100th birthday by playing the drums. (Image: © Archant 2015)

Armed with a pair of sticks, her foot to the pedal, the former nurse set the musical tone for her milestone anniversary by beating out a tune.

Accompanied by friends shaking maracas and tapping the tambourine she was declared 'a natural' by carers at Park House in Great Yarmouth who are stunned by her capacity to try new things.

Weekly jam sessions lead by Andy Hayes of More Madness are among the most popular activities at the home where residents also enjoy quizzes and days out.

When it came to choosing a treat she would most enjoy on her 100th birthday Olive chose a musical masterclass with Andy at the helm.

And as a special surprise staff laid on an almost full kit, having been impressed by her timing and skills on the bongos and snare drum.

'I do like it. It is really quite satisfying,' said Miss Lord who enjoyed a steady stream of visitors bearing cards and gifts on her special day.

Born in Norwich, Miss Lord trained locally and enjoyed a long career in nursing which took her to Huntingdon, Newmarket and Great Yarmouth.

Having moved to the resort to care for her mother, she worked at a children's hospital opposite Wellington Pier, tending to those in isolation and suffering from diseases like scarlet fever, now consigned to history.

Seeing some of the advances in medicine had been one of her life's joys along with the advent of the motor car, sitting in her uncle's Ford car conjuring happy memories.

Although she never married Olive has plenty of friends and is popular with staff and residents.

Proving you are never to old to try new things she joins in every activity with gusto and is always beautifully turned out in matching outfits and jewellery.

Miss Lord said she came to drumming like she did to knitting, almost by accident, but found she enjoyed it. She added that she had 'not got a clue' as to her longevity having suffered with a heart condition as a child and endured a period of complete bed rest.

However she said that during her long career as a nurse she had often found herself in unusual or unexpected situations - and that sitting behind a drum kit was just the most recent in her long life.

Activities co-ordinator Jill Graver said they always tried to grant requests from residents and that Andy's jam sessions were always a big hit. The residents had gone off bingo for a while and had asked for other things, but were ready to give it a go again, she added.

Two Elvises that came into the home were also popular.

Miss Lord had lived at the home for three years and was a very bright lady with a good sense of humour who always joined in with whatever was happening, she added.