A SPRIGHTLY pensioner has celebrated the landmark milestone of reaching her 106th birthday.

Dorothy Armour - who is said to possibly be the oldest person in Dovercourt - was surrounded by friends and family at Lime Court residential home for a party on Friday, December 8.

The 106-year-old has been a resident of the home, in Lime Avenue, since 2011 - before then she lived independently.

Sarah Meachen, activities co-ordinator at Lime Court residential home, said: “Dorothy received lots of cards and presents as well as a card from the Queen and a telegram from the Secretary of State.

“She had lots of visitors and a couple of members of family who live locally.”

For the birthday celebrations Dorothy was treated to a musical performance by Clearer Productions with Christmas songs and there was a buffet to enjoy.

Sarah added: “I think she may be the oldest resident in Dovercourt. I know that the two other local care homes don’t have a resident as old as Dorothy.”

Sarah said Dorothy has a bubbly personality and still loves singing, with her favourite song being I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles.

Dorothy was born in Ilford in 1911 and during the First World War, she was evacuated to Canvey Island.

When she left school, she took a secretarial course and got her first job working for a shoe company in Finsbury Circus, in London.

She worked for the County Medical Officer at County Hall, in Chelmsford, during the Second World War.

She spend time living with her sister, raising her sister’s two sons, and cycled to Fambridge at weekends to look after her parents. After the war Dorothy became secretary to a bank manager.

However, her sister and family moved to Dovercourt in 1947 and following the death of her parents, Dorothy moved to the seaside town in 1972 and stayed ever since.