Annie's staying supple at 100

At the grand age of 100, great grandmother Annie Shakespeare still believes in keeping fit – and puts many people half her age to shame.

Sprightly Annie celebrated her 100th birthday yesterday – and touched her toes to demonstrate how she has kept herself agile.

She marked her special milestone with family at The Homestead Residential Home in Prestwood, near Stourbridge. She may rely on a frame to get around but her daughter Wendy Wooldridge, 60, said she still moves like the clappers. "Mum goes at 90mph and she can still touch her toes," said Mrs Wooldridge from Vanborough Walk Dudley.

Born in Coopers Bank, Lower Gornal, Annie has two daughters, 10 grandchildren and is a great grandmother.

She lived in Park Road, Wollaston, for almost 60 years and her late husband William was a plumber.

It was always a joke that he took his name from the Bard.

Annie was one of twins and her family took her to what is now called The Forge pub in Lower Gornal for a party to celebrate her 100th birthday.

As a young girl Annie would go to the pub – then called The Old Forge – to fetch beer for her father who had to have a wooden leg after being hit by a train.

She was an usherette at The Danilow which later became The Picture House in Stourbridge.

Her daughter said: "I think the secret of her long life is hard work. She loved her home and her garden which everyone used to admire. Mum is strong willed and still rules with a rod of iron."

She has lived at the Homestead since 2004.

It is double delight for the home as fellow resident Gladys Grainger turned 100 earlier this month.