A PENARTH woman who marked her 101st birthday last week has revealed her secret to a long life – a good game of bingo.

Doris Thomas reached the milestone last Wednesday, February 28, and celebrated the occasion at her home in the Morel Court Care Home in Raisdale Road, Penarth.

Mrs Thomas’ son Gareth lives in America and was unable to attend the occasion, however her niece and nephew Rhona and John visited to help her celebrate.

Asked how she had come to reach such a grand age, Mrs Thomas said her love for bingo had helped her make it this far, and she was fittingly taken by her relatives for a game that afternoon.

She was also taken out for a birthday lunch to celebrate.

Penarth Town Council mayor, Cllr Ken Lloyd, and his consort, Georgia Bennett, also paid a visit to Mrs Thomas to bring her flowers, as well as congratulating her on the achievement and wishing her a happy birthday.

Proving that one is never too old for balloons, Morel Court also ensured the 101-year-old received balloons fitting for the occasion which marked out her age.

With around 15,000 centenarians in the UK, roughly one in every 4,400 people alive today is expected to hit the 100 mark. The number of Brits reaching the century mark has quadrupled over the past three decades.

Mrs Thomas will have to wait another four years before receiving another card from the Queen however. These are only issued on the occasion of a 100th birthday, a 105th birthday, and for each year after that.

Mrs Thomas still has some way to go to become the oldest known resident recorded in the Vale. Barry’s Victoria Owens is believed to have been the oldest, having reached the grand old age of 108.