Good health is Muriel Key's secret to a long and happy life.

The great grandmother, who lives in Corton with her son the Rev Roger Key and his wife, celebrated her 105th birthday on Thursday, March 30.

Born in Graaff-Reinet in the Karoo in South Africa, she attended the Diocesan School for Girls in Grahamstown before marrying her late husband.

Just six months into married life, Mr Key was called up to fight in the Second World War. He was taken prisoner at Tobruk in Libya and did not return home until he was repatriated at the end of the war.

Mrs Key's husband was a magistrate and the couple moved frequently for his work, living in several places in South Africa.

The couple had two children, two grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

During her life, Mrs Key was a keen tennis player and a talented pianist. She also did charity work.

She still regularly writes to friends in South Africa, is a voracious reader and maintains an interest in the politics of the day and watching sport.

She said she had been fortunate to have good health and had never spent a day in hospital in her life.

Mrs Key moved from South Africa to England to live with her son when she was 99.

She celebrated her birthday by enjoying afternoon tea in Lound with her family.