A “BRIGHT AND INDEPENDENT” New Inn pensioner is celebrating her 100th birthday today.

Florence Thomas was born in Smethwick, Birmingham – the youngest of 11 children.

During the war she worked in a Swallow Raincoats factory, before marrying Raymond Thomas, from Griffithstown, when she was 21.

With a lack of petrol to power cars the couple spent time cycling back and forth their families in Torfaen and Birmingham.

Then in 1941, they set up home in Pontypool, where they had two children, Barbara and Michael.

Her daughter called Mrs Thomas a “lovely lady”.

“She has always been very bright and she is extremely independent,” she said.

“Up until a couple of years ago she used to go on holiday, on her own, two or three times a year.

“She loved coach trips.”

Mrs Thomas will celebrate with family at a party today. The Mayor of Torfaen is also expected to pay her a special visit.