A GREAT grandmother says her secret to reaching three figures is simple – independence and self-drive.

Mary Sargent celebrated her 100th birthday with friends and family at her home near Hereford city centre.

To mark the achievement she also received a Telegram from the Queen and a card from Iain Duncan Smith, the Work and Pensions Secretary.

The Portfields resident, who has lived in St Guthlac Street since the age of 21, has a straightforward response when asked the secret to reaching three figures.

“It’s independence and selfdrive,”

she says. “You’ve got to keep going and don’t give up.”

Born in Dinas Powys, South Wales, in 1915 , Mrs Sargent sadly lost her father during the First World War before her mother re-married and they moved to Hereford when she was about five.

It was here that she later met her husband-to-be, Fred, with the couple going on to have one child, Sheila.

Fred, sadly, passed away about 18 years ago.

Mrs Sargent had four grandchildren and now has four great-grandchildren. She says the youngest, James, is giving her the inspiration to keep going.

“I’ve got to live until I’m 104 to see him go to school,” she said.

As well as receiving the Telegram from Her Majesty, Mrs Sargent also held an ‘open house’ on her birthday with friends and family dropping by to send their best wishes.

“People kept coming throughout the day,” she said.

“I used to take in teacher training students and one came all the way from Barry to see me. It must be 45 years since she stayed with me.”