A KIDDERMINSTER-born woman with a passion for dancing celebrated her 100th birthday earlier this week.

Margaret Whitfield, who puts the secret to her long life down to dancing, celebrated the milestone with friends and family on Tuesday (October 26).

Mrs Whitfield became the first person living at Webb Ellis Court, in Rugby, to reach 100 years of age.

The care home organised a special surprise for Mrs Whitfield on the day. She was serenaded by a singer performing her favourite songs from the 1940s.

The Queen has also sent her birthday wishes as she celebrated with her were her family, friends and neighbours.

She originally hailed from Kidderminster and lived there for 90 years, but has resided in Rugby for the last 10 years.

Mrs Whitfield, like so many women of her time, had a wartime marriage and tied the knot with Bernard in 1943.

They had to endure separation until the end of WW2. Bernard and Margaret had over 50 years of married life together.

They had two children - Michael and Robert. She now has eight grandchildren and five great-grand children, all of whom joined the celebration.

The couple had an interest in modern sequence dancing for many years and helped to run several clubs in the Kidderminster area.