MOST of us were mere twinkles in our great grandparents' eyes when Sarah Wallace was born 103 years ago.

Born on June 4, 1899, she is a living encyclopaedia of the 20th century, recalling the death of Queen Victoria, the sinking of Titanic and both world wars.

And as she sat surrounded by friends and family at Wemyss Lodge, Ermin Street, Stratton St Margaret, to celebrate her birthday yesterday, her appearance and demeanour belied her 103 years.

She actually became a resident at the nursing home after being told she had a week to live. That was two-and- a-half years ago and her daughter, Nell Mitchell, is confident she will be around for a while yet.

"She is a very independent character, very strong willed, and a wonderful mother," she said.

"It's just since she turned 99 that she has started to fade a bit but she remembers everything. She still thinks she can look after me."

Sarah is quick to respond to the question on everyone's lips. She believes "hard work" is the key to longevity.

Originally from Newcastle, she moved to Swindon in 1984. She worked in ammunitions during the First World War during which time she met her late husband Thomas, who died in 1945. She then worked as a cleaner, retiring aged 69.

Clearly the youth gene runs in the family as Nell is 81 but could pass for Sarah's granddaughter.

Nell, from Highworth, has a son, Geoffrey, 57, who has two children, one of whom has a daughter. That makes Sarah a great great grandmother.

At the grand old age of 97 Sarah received her first passport and went on holiday to France with Nell.

Nell said: "She loved it there. We went back the following year as well.

Sarah's memories include playing alongside the Tyne as a young girl and seeing dead bodies floating by. Nell explained that in those days it was a fairly common sight.

In recent years she has been content with visiting garden centres with her friend, Burt Chatwin, 71, from Highworth.

Fellow residents and staff at the Lodge celebrated Sarah's birthday with a party also marking the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

The birthday girl said she enjoyed a glass of Bucks Fizz as it tasted like "lovely orange juice".