Drinking plenty of water and avoiding alcohol and cigarettes has been the life-long rule of a pensioner from the Black Country who has celebrated her 100th birthday.

Former office worker Ethel Wigfield was showered with bouquets of flowers by friends and family at her home in Drake Court, Drake Road, Bloxwich to mark her big day.

She was born to parents Ethel and Abner Wilkes on September 22, 1911, when they lived in a cottage in Leamore Lane. She was the oldest girl in the family of eight siblings.

She recalled attending the old West Street School in Leamore before the family moved to Queen Street in Walsall town centre.

“I went to work at 14 because that’s what you did in those days,” she said.

“I won a scholarship to attend the college in Bradford Street so my parents didn’t have to pay. I worked at Vulcan woto the Streetly Works to get more money.”

Ethel tied the knot with late husband Harry in 1934 at St Andrew’s Church, in Birchills.

Mr Wigfield was a tool maker at parts factory Rubery Owen in Darlaston. “During the Second World War I stayed at home and raised our family,” she said. “Harry worked very long hours in the war because he helped to make planes at the factory. It was a very important job.”

The couple lived in Bentley Road North, Bentley, and had a son John who passed away, aged 67, in 2003, and daughters Joan, aged 71, and Yvonne, aged 69.

Mrs Wigfield, a founder member of Emmanuel Church, Bentley, now has 10 grandchildren, 23 great grandchildren and 13 great great grandchildren.

“I have always been contented with what I have got,” she said. “I looked after my appearance.

“I have had up and downs, but I’ve had a good life.”