Happy birthday to Mary who turned 108 last week.

Celebrations for an 108th birthday happened in a Great Dunmow care home last week (Friday, September 9).

Mary Powell did not want a big fuss where she lives at Redbond Lodge, in Chequers Lane, but had banners and cards laid out for her and a small party in the evening.

One of her cards was a telegram from the Queen, which is her eighth so far.

She grew up in East London and worked in a factory, before moving to Dunmow when she was 90.

She “doesn’t know” her secret to living so long, “it’s just the age I am”, she said.