A Newport woman who was once the eldest Avon lady in the country, has celebrated her 100th birthday with a victorian tea party and 26 members of her family.

Born in Alma Street on 9 September 1913, Florence Ward has lived in Newport all her life. She started her working life in Woolworths before entering into a nursing career covering St. Woolas, Cefn Mabley, Royal Gwent and Chepstow hospitals.During the war she nursed injured servicemen at St Woolas and later enjoyed working on the maternity wards at both St Woolos and Royal Gwent hospitals.

As well as her nursing career she did various part time jobs, one of which was selling Avon Cosmetics and at 79 years of age, made her the eldest Avon representative in the country. Mrs Ward continued working into her old age and at 82, spotted an advertisement for a carer/companion for an elderly gentleman .She applied, got the position and then drove daily from Newport to Chepstow for more than two years.

Mrs Ward has two children, three grandchildren, six great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren. Her daughter, Christine Thatcher, collected photos from the hundred years of her mother's life and displayed them in the home, for the party.

Florence lived independently at her home in Cardiff Road until she was 94-years-old, when a fall resulted in her going into a nursing home. Mrs Ward has been at Summerhill Nursing Home, on Summerhill Avenue, Newport for the past six years. Yesterday (MON) she was joined by family and friends at the home, as well as the mayor, Cliff Suller, to celebrate with champagne and a victorian tea.

A nurse at the home said: "Flo's a fantastic character. She's wonderful."