VARIETY is the spice of life – so says centenarian Diana Fawkes as she celebrates her milestone birthday.

Mrs Fawkes, of Park Lane, Twyford, who was once a secretary at MI5, turned 100 on January 27, but chose to have her cake and balloons a few days later with her granddaughter, great-granddaughter and carers.

Mrs Fawkes, known as “Possum”, worked as a secretary during the Second World War.

“I was a secretary at the war office at MI5,” she said.

“We were at Compton for 15 years where my husband was rector at Compton and Shawford Parish. When he retired we moved here in 1958.”

Mrs Fawkes had two children Caroline and Nigel, with her late husband George, who she married in 1942.

Her granddaughter, Jojo Grebert, who is one of four grandchildren with George, Jon and Richard, made a special birthday breakfast for her.

Mrs Fawkes said: “I suppose I feel a bit older, but it’s not that different.”