SHE is five years away from her 100th birthday.

But that doesn’t stop Rita Tanner having the reflexes of a cat on the table tennis table.

The 95-year-old ping pong supremo from Holbury has been spending 20 years of her retirement perfecting her backhand smash and top spin forehand.

Her love for the sport started in her teens when she would play when she worked as a secretary at British Airways in London in the 1930s but she stopped playing in 1938 because of World War Two. However she kept active and enjoyed playing tennis and used to ice skate.

Her love for the sport was rekindled in 1995, when she joined a keep fit class, and table tennis was one of the options, she hasn’t looked back since.

Rita plays every week on Thursday morning at the nifty 50s group in Fawley and says she has a win rate of around 50 per cent.

Rita, said: “I played for a bit as a teenager for a few years and I started playing again 20 years ago.”

“It is good fun and not too exhaustingly strenuous. I think it keeps me moving and keeps me active and probably is quite good for my eyesight too.

Rita encouraged other pensioners to pick up a paddle and give the sport a try.

Daily Echo:

Rita Tanner

She added:”If you feel you want to do it then go for it and have a go, if you can’t do it you can’t do it but at least have a try at it.

“Table tennis is good for socialising and meeting people I have made loads of friends through it.”

Table tennis enthusiasts say the game improves balance, which builds confidence and in turn reduces falls.

Alzheimer’s groups have lauded the game for improving sleep patterns, increasing cerebral blood flow, and promoting better coordination and upper body strength.

Rita was one of nearly 100 pensioners who gathered at Fleming Park Sports Hall in Eastleigh for the Waterside Table Tennis Club’s annual table tennis tournament which was funded by Hampshire County Council’s Olympic Legacy Fund.

Rita was the oldest competitor and this year she won two of her six matches.

The winner of the over 75 tournament for men was Peter Williams from near Cheriton near Winchester, and Beryl Baptist grabbed glory in the women’s over 75 tournament.

Manager of Older Peoples Well Being at Hampshire County Council Karen Ferris, said: “Rita can beat most of us at table tennis, and we are expecting her back next year hopefully as a winner.

“Rita shows that age is just a number.”