CHESTNUT Care Home's oldest resident has celebrated her 100th birthday.

Family, friends and staff at the care home in Cambridge Park, Wanstead, treated Florence Burton, who turned 100 on Friday (May 25), to a birthday party in the garden.

She was even surprised by a visit from her great-niece, Jill Gravemeade, who flew in from Australia especially for the celebration.

Florence said the secret to her long life was that she enjoys everything she does and takes things as they come.

Her only daughter, Kay Poh, said: "My mum has always been family orientated and very caring. She always puts people before herself."

Florence was one of seven children and lived in Islington all of her life.

She refused to be evacuted from London during World War II as she didn't want to leave her husband, Charles, behind.

After the death of Charles in 1967, Florence never remarried because no other man matched up to the love of her life.

Florence refuses to let people think she is 100 and tells everyone she meets she is 89.

Kay added: "We would like to thank the staff, and the new owners Mr and Mrs Patel, for all their hard work in making Florence's day so memorable.

"All the staff and residents have become like an extended family to us."

Chestnuts Care Home was faced with uncertainty after previous owner Avril Stein put the home up for sale, but it was saved by Mr Patel who bought the home at the beginning of the month.

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