A GREAT-GRANDMOTHER of one who lived in Woodford Green for more than half her life has celebrated her 104th birthday surrounded by family and friends.

Joy Gower turned 104 on October 28 and celebrated with a party at her home in Bayfield Court Care Home, Hatch Lane, Chingford.

She was born in 1908 in Highams Park, but when she married her husband Geoffrey in 1935 she moved to Forest Way, Woodford Green in a home they had built together.

Mrs Gower lived at a further two address in Woodford Green, before moving to Buckhurst Hill with her son, Anthony, in 2000.

Her son, Anthony Gower, 76, of Heron Close, Buckhurst Hill, said: "I don't know many people of her age, it is quite remarkable.

"She's still got her marbles. Apart from her legs she is in pretty good shape and looking forward to her birthday next year."

Mrs Gower remembers turning her garage at her home in Forest Way into a air raid shelter ready for the Second World War and taking in a rather friendly robin in the early 1960s when she lived in Woodside Road.

Her son added: "She had an interest in birds and looked after this tame robin we found nesting in the garage.

"She has got so many wonderful memories of living in Woodford Green."

In her younger years Mrs Gower was a keen tennis player, playing at Woodford Wells Tennis Club in Monkhams Lane and took up golf when she was 40.

Mrs Gower's daughter Alison, 73, was unable to fly back for the celebrations as she lives in Australia, but sent her mum a personalised card for the occasion.