Five generations of the same family came together at the weekend to celebrate their oldest member’s 95th birthday.

Mary Hollingum marked the occasion with family, friends, and former neighbours.

Mrs Hollingum has lived at Claremont Place, a sheltered housing complex in Cutmore Street, Gravesend, for almost 30 years.

She was born in Malta, where her parents are from, and met late husband Philip there when working as a nurse for the VAD (Voluntary Aid Detachment) during the Second World War.

They married in 1944 and came back to live in Windmill Street, Gravesend, as her husband’s family are from the town.

Sadly Mr Hollinghum died more than 40 years ago.

On Saturday Mrs Hollinghum celebrated her birthday with her three daughters, sister Meme, 92, and relatives including many of her three grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and 11 great-great-grandchildren.

Daughter Barbara said: “Mum was born in 1919 and she was given a card with the year on it which told her everything she needed to know about that year.

“The song I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles was out that year. It was a wonderful card for mum to get.

“Mum did a lot of dancing at the party. She says she can’t hear music without dancing, but said she had a bad knee the next day.

“Instead of presents, mum asked for donations for EllenorLions Hospices, and people were very generous – they filled the tins we had with notes.”