Alice Bedford blowing out the candles on her 105th birthday at Foxhall Day Care Centre, Parliament Road, Foxhall, Ipswich.

A glass of brandy every now and then could be the secret to Alice Bedford’s long life.

The Felixstowe-raised woman, who worked in London during the Blitz, celebrated her 105th birthday, surrounded by friends and family.

Mrs Bedford, who lives at the Foxhall Day Care Centre in Parliament Road, said: “I’m still alive. I’m very happy to be turning 105 years old.”

Mrs Bedford was brought up in Felixstowe and worked during the Second World War as the head of catering at Hendon College of Technology – now Hendon Technical Institute – at Middlesex University.

“I worked in London during the Blitz and I remember it well,” she added.

“There were a lot of air force boys doing a course at the college training to become pilots.”

Mrs Bedford, whose husband, Steve, was in the airforce and has since died, moved to Ipswich after she retired to be closer to her sister and her family.

Nephew Herbie Shemming, 71, who visits her weekly with his wife Jenny to help out with the shopping and other jobs, revealed an occasional glass of brandy could be the secret to her success.

“Having a bit of brandy every now and then keeps her going,” he said.

“She is a very kind lady. I think she will outlive all of us.”

Anna Wright, carer at Foxhall Day Care Centre, added: “She is an amazing person. There is no other way to describe her.

“She has a marvellous sense of humour. She is very witty and quite a character.

“She is very with it and is very modern, always smartly dressed.”