by Stephen Waite

At the age of 100, Anne Bishop could be forgiven for putting her feet up and taking it easy.

But instead, the energetic centenarian has been pounding the footpaths of Milton Creek Country Park after joining a walking group.

Anne, a resident at Court Regis Care Home in Milton Regis, turned 100 in January.

Ashley Roberts, the home’s activities co-ordinator, said: "Walking has always been one of Anne’s favourtie pastimes from when she and her father would walk their dogs for miles and miles.

"When we saw the advert for the walking club, we saw a way of encouraging Anne to begin her favourite hobby again.

"Even at the age 100 she is still able to walk a distance of up to four miles. She says she enjoys every minute of it."

He added: "Her secret to great mobilty and a long life is not to worry about anything and a pint of stout or two."

Anne, who is a mother of two with five grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren, lived in Sheerness before moving to the home in March 2010.

She was originally from Elephant and Castle in London and moved to the island in the 1970s after caravan holidays in Leysdown.

The walking group, part of the NHS health walk scheme, was set up at the beginning of July. Two other Court Regis residents have followed in Anne’s footsteps and joined the Wednesday afternoon strolls.

Chris Andrews, one of three walk leaders and a trustee with Milton Creek Trust, said it was a surprise when he found out Anne’s age. "She’s very spritely. The forms we have to fill in for each walker only go up to 95 so I had to cross that out and put 100."

The Milton Creek Country Park walks are held on Wednesdays. Walkers meet at Holy Trinity Church, Green Porch Close, Milton Regis at 12.45pm for a 1pm start and the route usually takes about an hour.

Dogs on leads are welcome. For more information, contact Marie on 01795 474204, call East Kent HealthWalks on 0800 8494000 or send an email to healthwalks@nhs.net.