A woman celebrated her 102nd birthday earlier this month with friends, family and staff at the Barchester Beaumont residential home in Epsom.

Rhoda Garwell settled in Epsom, where she has lived for nearly 20 years, after living in Wales, Yorkshire and Australia.

Mrs Garwell’s daughter, Jenny Buxton said: “She was born in Wales and after she was married she and my father went to Australia to live and they were out there for 45 years before they retired.

I think they quite fancied coming back to England and seeing more of the grandchildren.”

Married for 76 years, Rhoda’s husband died two years ago at the age of 98.

“They have both done extremely well, said Jenny.

Of her parents days down under Jenny said: “They lived in a tent when they were first married because it was the recession and there wasn’t any work around.”

A resident at the Barchester Beaumont for almost a year, Rhoda is known for her fabulous sense of humour and piano playing.

Barbara Carter, manager at the Epsom Beaumont said: “She’s still got quite a lot of her faculties and she’s able to play the piano.

She often plays for the other residents.

She’s a grant lady for her years and a lovely warm woman.

Mrs Garwell added: “Everyone I speak to is always left with a smile.”