A “LOVELY, bubbly” former secretary who has celebrated reaching the grand old age of 100 takes a glass of ginger beer every night just before bed and credits her longevity to the staff who care for her.

Beryl Trent, who worked as a secretary in the Brighton mayor’s office for many years, told staff at Place Farm House care home in Ladies Mile Road, Patcham, that “without their care and love she would never have made it to 100”.

The centenarian was joined at her birthday party by relatives, friends, staff and fellow residents as well as Councillor Dee Simson, the current mayor of Brighton.

She was presented with a birthday cake and The Melody Men sang a song specially written about her life.

“She’s a lovely, bubbly woman who doesn’t like putting people out and really appreciates everything we do for her,” said care home deputy manager Karen Reid.

“Just before bed every night, she drinks ginger beer. She loves doing crosswords and she reads hundreds and hundreds of books, including love stories.

“Although she walks with a frame, she manages to get out into the garden when the weather’s nice.

“I think she was a keen gardener.”

The home’s welfare officer Mandy Porter said: “She gave us all a kiss on her birthday this morning and told us she wouldn’t have made it to 100 without our love and care.”

Beryl, who was born and bred in Brighton, was married twice.

Her first husband, who she described as the love of her life, was a bomber pilot in the Second World War and was killed three months after they were married.

She was subsequently married and widowed a second time.