A FORMER charity worker from Newport celebrated her 100th birthday last week.

Esther Baker, who was born in London but moved to Newport in 1935, turned 100 on Sunday March 29 and was joined by her family and friends to celebrate.

The centenarian, who was one of seven children, was training to be a missionary in Berkshire, before meeting her husband, Harold, from Newport.

The pair moved to Lliswerry where Ms Baker spent a lot of her free time at the Seventh Day Adventist church on Chepstow Road where she dedicated herself to charity work.

Ms Baker has lived at the Florence Justice Residential Home, in Stow Park Circle, since 2008.

On her birthday, her family and friends – including some of her three children, eight grandchildren, 14 great grandchildren and three great great grandchildren – spent time with her at son Steve Baker’s home where a party was held.

Mr Baker, who founded Newport company Crystal Cleaning Solutions, said: “Esther has led a wonderful happy life in almost perfect health for all of her years.

Although Esther is quite frail, she is extremely observant, understands and remembers everything.”