MAY Swann celebrated her 100th birthday in style – with a trip around Cambridge in a vintage Austin Healey. Her spin in the open-top 1960s car was a surprise present from her family. I had lots of fun, and it really was a wonderful surprise. Everyone sto

MAY Swann celebrated her 100th birthday in style - with a trip around Cambridge in a vintage Austin Healey.

Her spin in the open-top 1960s car was a surprise present from her family.

"I had lots of fun, and it really was a wonderful surprise. Everyone stopped to look at us. It was a lovely day," said May.

May, of Southwell Court residential home in Melbourn, also enjoyed a champagne lunch at the Garden House Hotel in Cambridge.

And she partied with residents and staff at Southwell Court with cake and music.

Born in Bedford in 1906, May moved to Comberton, 10 years ago. She has been a resident at Southwell for the past two years.

Her husband Sid, whom she met at primary school, was also a resident until he died last year, just after the couple celebrated their 71st anniversary.

She has two daughters, Margaret and Janet, four granddaughters, Jenny, Helen, Hillary and Rosalind, and a great-grandson, two-year-old Jack.

May said she had many treasured memories, in particular the birth of her daughters and grandchildren, and her experiences in the war.

May, who was 100 on Tuesday, is one of a number of Southwell residents to celebrate their 100th birthdays, and puts her landmark achievement down to leading a happy life.

She said: "There is obviously something in the water.

"I've lived a happy life and I'm looked after very well. I keep myself busy and mix with lots of different people and enjoy spending time with family and friends."

Janet Mills, 64, May's youngest daughter, described her mum as fun-loving and adventurous.

Support worker Alicia Todd said: "May is a very jolly person. If she can do it, she will and is very active.

"She's also extremely caring and very popular with the other residents.