A “sweet-natured” great-grandmother celebrated a milestone birthday recentlywhen she turned 100, with family popping over from all corners of the world.

Norah Merrett, who according to her daughter Jean Hirt puts her longevity down to her love of a couple of sherries, celebrated with family who treated her to lunch at St Michael’s Manor Hotel in Fishpool Street, St Albans.

One of her granddaughters even flew all the way over from Malaysia to join her for her big day.

Youngest daughter Jean, 69, who lives in Salisbury Avenue, said: “It was an absolutely superb day and she loved every minute of it.

“It is always difficult to get everyone together from all over the place so it was very special.

“My mother has a very good sense of humour and is really loved by us and her four grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren because she has a very sweet nature.

“She loves playing Scrabble and doing things that keep her mind active and we’re putting together a family album of photographs of the day for her.”

And it wasn’t just family who celebrated as St Albans Mayor, Cllr Geoff Harrison, presented her with flowers in the morning.

He said: “Norah is an example to us all as she enjoys life to the full.

“I offer her my congratulations and wish her many happy returns.”

Norah, who is originally from the West Country, spends half of the year living with daughter Jean and the other half with daughter Margaret Rickard, 71, who lives in the small village of Chedburgh, near Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk.