A woman born in Croydon during the reign of Queen Victoria celebrated her 111th birthday on New Year’s Day.

Ellen Watson has survived both World Wars - witnessing a Zeppelin airship flying over her home - and outlived five monarchs since being born in Pawsons Road, Thornton Heath in 1900.

The spritely centenarian is one of the few people still alive who remembers watching the inferno which burnt down the Crystal Palace exhibition centre in 1936.

She puts the secret of her long life down to having a good sense of humour, but adds she has always eaten healthily and avoided alcohol - expect for sherries on birthdays and Christmas.

Mrs Watson left the borough in 1959, the same year the country’s first international airport, based in Croydon, closed down.

The great, great, great, grandmother moved to Staines with her second husband Samuel, and daughter Audrey and husband, and currently lives in the town’s Meadowside care home.

Mr Watson died days after the couple celebrated their golden anniversary in 1974.