FRESH air and fun – and a drop of brandy in her hot chocolate - is the recipe for a long life for 105-year-old Florence Mary Arrowsmith.

Florence celebrated her milestone birthday at her youngest daughter’s home in Kent, and had two cakes, one for her party with family who came to see her from the north west and south west.

The other birthday cake was for the celebrations with friends she has made when visiting Kent over the past 15 years.

Florence, who lives in Knutsford, was born on January 21, 1913 in Ancoats, and was one of six children, having four brothers and a sister.

She met her late husband Joseph through her brothers, who were in the same cycling club as Joseph, and married on New Year’s Eve in 1938.

The couple had four children, daughters Kay, Judith and Yvonne, who live in Handforth, Bath and Kent respectively, and son Joseph Roy, who lives in Australia.

“Mum worked in Cheetham Hill as a machinist at Whites, and during the war sewed gas capes, land army coats - that could stand up on their own in cold weather - duck suits for the Navy and Union Jacks,” said Yvonne.

“During air raids she hid under the dining table with her son as her father-in-law and grandmother-in-law would not leave the house to go to the air raid shelter at the bottom of the garden.”

Florence lived in Manchester until the early 1960s before moving to Cheshire.

She has lived in Knutsford for 30 years, where she enjoyed walks in Tatton Park and made some good friends over the years.

She is and has been a regular visitor to Walmer in Kent to stay with Yvonne for the past 15 years.

She stays through the summer and over Christmas and the new year, making sure her visits coincide with the annual Royal Marines concert on Walmer Green and in more recent years the Marines Christmas panto.

Yvonne added: “Mum loves visiting Deal and Walmer, going out along the prom, regularly listening to the bands on the bandstand at the Sunday concert and stopping for tea and cake in neighbouring Deal.”

Florence said her secret for a long life was “fresh air and fun, having a good laugh, a happy life - and a drop of brandy in my hot chocolate each night.”

For her 100th birthday in 2013 she had a card and a signed photo from her favourite Bradley Walsh - she's a big fan of The Chase, and celebrated her 105th at Yvonne’s home in Walmer.

Her eldest daughter Kay said: "Mum is definitely not your typical 105-year-old. She has a real zest for life, with a really cheeky sense of humour.

“She's a fabulous mum and is loved and cherished by all her family.”

Judith said: "Mum always makes me laugh, and I love her to bits."

Florence has nine grandchildren, 21 great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren.