ONE of Hampshire oldest residents has revealed her secret to a long life as she celebrates her 104th birthday.

Great grandmother Irene Harris said enjoying lots of fresh air and avoiding salt in your diet were important pieces of advice for living to a century and beyond.

Born in 1917, a year before the end of First World War, Irene was speaking during her birthday party at Colten Care’s Kingfishers care home in New Milton.

Her earliest memories are of going for long walks in her home city of Birmingham with her parents and younger sister Joyce.

She also enjoyed ice-skating, fencing and being a pillion on a friend’s motorbike.

Unable to attend grammar school because her family couldn’t afford the price of the uniform, Irene started work in an office at 14-years-old.

Being "good at numbers" kept Irene in office work, and she also spent time serving in a munitions factory during the Second World War.

She later worked in a wallpaper shop and a post office in charge of greeting card sales.

After her retirement at age 75, Irene volunteered in a Marie Curie charity shop until she was 90.

As well as the UK, Irene and her second husband Tom lived in Australia for four years and travelled extensively across Europe and in the US.

In 1964, they moved to Highcliffe where Irene lived until she moved to nearby Kingfishers.

Irene has a daughter Linda, a son Peter, four grandchildren and a great grandson Wilf.

On the secret of a long life, Irene said: “I must have inherited that from my parents, but I know that no salt and lots of fresh air will also do you good.”

Joined at her 1960s-themed birthday party by family members under a safe-visiting protocol, Irene was naturally the centre of attention.

Kingfishers team members granted her birthday wish, playing and dancing along to her favourite song, Nancy Sinatra’s 1966 hit These Boots are Made for Walkin’.