Grace Nice still goes on weekly shops to Sainsbury's in Hedge End at 105 years old

But even as she turns 105 Grace Nice, who supermarket staff think could be the oldest shopper in Hampshire, still insists on doing it herself.

Despite her age, Grace makes regular visits most weeks to the Sainsbury's store in Hedge End walking round the store supported by son Trevor.

So staff surprised her with a bouquet of flowers and a cake at the checkout to mark her milestone birthday.

A stunned Grace, who had tears in her eyes, said "I can't believe it."

She later told staff: "You are making me cry. Anyone would think I was old."

Born in the East End of London in 1910, Grace was a keen artist in her youth, who enjoyed oil painting and making bespoke cards.

She earned a living hand painting lampshades before she met her husband Charles on holiday in Southend and they married in 1935.

They lived in Essex and during the Second World War while Charles worked doing research on submarine radar - a far cry from his day job as an accountant - Grace went with her eldest son Trevor , who was born on the second day of the war, when he was evacuated to Christchurch.

The couple, who had two children Trevor and Stephen, moved to Eastbourne then to Hampshire around 25 years ago, briefly living in Hamble before settling in Hedge End.

Charles died aged 99.

Son Trevor Nice, 75, of Hedge End, agreed his mother probably was the oldest Hampshire shopper who still walked around the store, only needing support from the trolley, which amazed him.

"She still manages to get all the way round the store walking", he said, adding that she liked to maintain her independence and keep active.

"It's what keeps her going - that's why she's as healthy as she is.

"Shopping is one of her highlights of the week - she goes out and can have a walk around.

"Lots of the staff know her and try to talk to her. She likes the fact that people come up and say 'good morning' to her."

"It was a big surprise," said the grandmother-of-four and great grandmother-of-ten, of Hedge End.

"I wondered round minding my own business and then 'oh'."

Grace, who was a good swimmer and played tennis and later in life bowls, said her secret to long life was keeping active.

Checkout assistant Amanda Grace, who has known Grace for around 15 years and has even visited her outside work, said: "I think it's absolutely fantastic, I take my hat off to her. It's unbelievable.

"Grace saw the start of the First World War. I can't get my head around it.

"She lived through that, through the Second World War and the technology she must have seen.

"Think about what we have got now that was never imaginable when she was a child. The changes she's seen."