YESTERDAY was a day of celebration for Ruby Simmons as she marked turning 105 with friends and family.

Ms Simmons, who lives at Triangle Care Home in Wheatley, celebrated the landmark by singing along to a favourite local musician.

She also had visitors throughout the day, including her family and friends and also the vicar of St Mary the Virgin Church in Wheatley, who visits her once a month.

Ms Simmons has been a resident of Oxfordshire for her entire life and was born in St Clement's in Oxford on March 20, 1913.

One of her sons, Gene, said she was very popular as she spent her days out and about in the city and was known for her lovable character.

Ms Simmons spent her days chatting and getting to know bus drivers as well as going out for a meal and coffee in BHS with close friends.

Five years ago, aged 100, she became a resident at the care home in Wheatley, where she now spends her days watching visitors come in and out and telling stories and laughing and joking.

During her long life she worked delivering newspapers around the Osney area, and thoroughly enjoyed serving in the ATS, which was the women’s branch of the Army during the Second World War.

The ‘heart and soul of the home’ revealed her secret to a long and happy life is Mackeson stout.

Ms Simmons has two sons, Bruce, 77 and Gene, 73, and also has five grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren and 16 great-great-grandchildren.

A member of staff at the care home said: “If they are all as funny as Ruby then Oxford’s a better place to be.”