A Sheppey woman celebrated joining the 100 club with a surprise party.

Staff at Age UK Sheppey organised the event for Winifred Kemp at its Rosemary House centre, in Trinity Road, Sheerness.

The centenarian’s family attended and after lunch she was presented with a special cake.

When asked what the secret to a long life is, the mother of two, grandmother of six and great-grandmother of seven replied: “I don’t know. I have always been active, although I spent the first 18 years from school at a sitting down job, but after that I was dancing, swimming, walking, everything I could.”

Originally from Poplar, London, Mrs Kemp said she has early memories of seeing a German airship over the city during the First World War.

The former book-keeper moved to Barton Hill Drive, Minster, in 1955 and she still lives in the same house.

When the Second World War started, she signed up and spent four and a half years helping the war effort in a camp in Bramley, near Basingstoke.

She kept the armed forces informed by keeping track of statistics like the amount of ammunition they had available.

After the war she settled down with her husband Ernest, who passed away in 1971. All of her daughters, grandchildren and great grandchildren still live on Sheppey.

Mrs Kemp, who has outlived all 10 of her siblings, said: “I feel so lucky. I have two lovely daughters and I go down to the day centre. I can still walk if I’ve got something to lean on and I can walk quite confidently.”

She took her card from the Queen to show her friends and staff at Age UK.

Elaine O’Brien, Rosemary House day centre manager, said: “It was really nice. She didn’t want a big thing made of it.

“She is in great shape for 100 years of age, she doesn’t even walk with a stick, she is just unbelievable. She is a jolly person, very bubbly.”