The nation paused to mark 100 years since the end of the First World War last Sunday but it was also a milestone for retired dressmaker Edna Gibson.

The Armistice centenary was Mrs Gibson’s 100th birthday too.

Mabel Edna Gibson, of Northbourne Road, Twydall, has lived in Gillingham since the 1980s but was born in a village in Guyana, South America.

Mrs Gibson, who goes by her middle name of Edna, said: “Lots of people get excited when they hear about my birthday, not many people are born that day.

“I was a special person.

“The midwife asked shortly after the delivery, what was the time of birth?

"Then all these bells started ringing and it was the war ending.

“All the church bells across all the country were ringing, so they called me Belle.

“But my auntie was called May so they called me Mabel and my middle name was Edna.”

Mrs Gibson fell pregnant with her first child in 1942 and married husband Wesley Gibson in 1943.

He moved to London to work in the British government during the Second World War and she stayed in Guyana working as a dressmaker with her seven children.

Gradually they all moved Peckham.

Mrs Gibson said: “When I came to England everyone called me Edna so that’s what I’m known as.”

“If you want to live to 100, live a quiet life and don’t get stressed out..." - Edna Gibson

Now she has too many grandchildren and great-grandchildren to remember and she lives alone after her husband passed away.

She said: “In my 80s I used to take my trolley and do my shopping in Twydall or get the bus to Rainham and go to the butcher’s, everybody knew me that way.

“I went to the library with my friends, reading was my life, but now I’ve got cataracts so I struggle. I’ve been hoping see my 100th birthday.

“I don’t smoke or drink, I do have sherry sometimes though.

“If you want to live to 100, live a quiet life and don’t get stressed out. If you have to force yourself to do work, just don’t do it.” I like the Queen she doesn’t get worried, so Don’t let people bother you.”