AN energetic and fun-loving 100-year-old has joined a prestigious triumvant of centenarians at a care home.

Winifred Barnett reached her milestone at Lugano Residence for the Elderly, in Powell Road, Buckhurst Hill, which laid on a special party with friends and family.

She is the third person to reach three figures at the care home following Gertrude Wallace and Elsie Watts who are still in good health at the age of 103.

The eldest of nine children, Winifred grew up on a farm in Lincolnshire and has one surviving brother, now in Australia.

During the war she cycled 16 miles a day to the factory where she worked making parachutes and barrage balloons.

Her first husband died during the war while fighting in Italy but she was married again to Percy and together they entered the hotel trade.

She has one daughter, Iris, four grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren.

Care manager Millie Rosario said: “Winifred has been at Lugano for two and a half years and has always been an active cheerful and happy person, who loves to joke and participate in all activities, especially dancing with the staff.”