A REMARKABLE woman who worked as a dinner lady until she was 75 has celebrated her 110th birthday.

Florence Millicent Jenkins, born in Garnant, near Swansea, on August 29, 1906, has lived through two world wars, 22 prime ministers and five British monarchs.

Now living in Garndiffaith, Torfaen, Ms Jenkins has also seen significant historical events such as the birth of the internet and formation of the European Union, amongst others.

Around 25 family members visited Ms Jenkins for the birthday bash on Monday, for a party including a cake with a £110 pound price tag.

Granddaughter Ann Thomas, 63, said: “She was very family orientated and her and my grandfather were always there for us.

“She worked all her married life, which was unusual in those days and worked in a local greengrocer during the war.

“When she came to Garndiffaith from Swansea she couldn’t speak any English and I always remember her as a very loving grandmother who was always fit and healthy."

She added: “Everyone knew her in Garndiffaith and she was very determined, living at home until she was 100 and carrying buckets of coal up and down the stairs at 99 despite our protests,."

Ms Jenkins moved to Garndiffaith at the age of 14, working in Vipond Pit and British Nylon Spinners until she retired. Her love for work proved too great though and she became a dinner lady at Garndiffaith School.

After marrying her husband, Gordon Jenkins, in 1929, she lived in Elgam Avenue, Blaenavon, before moving back to Top Road in Garndiffaith.

She is now a resident at Ty-Ceirios Nursing Home in Pontnewynydd, and entered care shortly after her centenary year.

“Her great grandchildren gave her a nickname as they had so many grandmothers, they had to distinguish between them,” Ms Thomas said.

“She had a pair of nutcrackers so they called her ‘nanny crackers' and the name just stuck.

"Millie had a couple of falls and when celebrated her 80th birthday we thought it was going to be the last year she was going to be about. Thirty years later she is still here."

“The day was also very special because she shared it with her great grandson Daniel Thomas and his wife Lauren Richardson, who were also celebrating their first wedding anniversary on the same day," she added.

Ms Jenkins has two sons, Dennis and Alan, two daughter-in-laws, Mary and Elizabeth, nine grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren and 10 great-great grandchildren.