ONE of Hampshire’s oldest residents celebrates her 106th birthday last week.

Lilian Jeffrey, of the Colten Care home in Abbotts Barton, spent her special day with family, friends and fellow residents on February 6.

Of the secret to a long and happy life, Mrs Jeffrey said: “Be good but also have fun and remember: he who never made a mistake, never made anything.”

Care home activity organiser Janet Orchard said Mrs Jeffrey has always been fashion conscious and keen to wear her pearls, brooch and perfume every day.

Janet said: “She’s always told us she likes to dress up every day as if she was meeting the Queen.”

Mrs Jeffrey has enjoyed drama, reading and dancing, and was an accomplished pianist, continuing to play until after she reached 100.

Born in 1907, Mrs Jeffrey had four brothers and three sisters and her first job was keeping the accounts for her father’s metal polishing and plating business.

She went on to hold a senior post at the Austin motor company until she married in 1941.

She also spent a considerable time raising funds for the NSPCC. Mrs Jeffrey moved to Winchester in 1986 to be near her family and two granddaughters.

Remarkably, Mrs Jeffrey is not the oldest person at Abbotts Barton - that honour goes to fellow resident Blanche Rogers who is 108.