Active Alice celebrates her 100th birthday with a dance

Alice Boulter, who reached the milestone on Tuesday, attends the Health Through Activity sessions at Newport Neighbourhood Centre, in Middlesbough, to maintain an active life- style.

The pensioner also completes a crossword every day and plays Scrabble and bingo.

The mother-of-three was only introduced to the sessions two years ago, but since then she has joined the other 24 members every week.

She said: "I love coming here, it makes me full of energy. I can do the exercises and it is good fun. I have lots of friends here."

To mark the milestone, the group held a surprise party for her after the class. Mrs Boulter, who was born in London, also had a party with 83 members of her family and friends on Tuesday.

She said: "It has all been so wonderful, not a single thing has gone wrong. I have more than 200 cards, I haven't had the chance to open all of them yet.

"I am so thrilled that I have so many nice people as friends. I could call on any one of them if I needed to.

"I do a lot for myself, otherwise I wouldn't be like I am today."

In addition to her exercising, Mrs Boulter has visited Russia twice in the past two years and enjoys getting out and about.

The Health Through Activity Group is one of a number of activities organised by the Retired Senior Volunteer Programme (RSVP) and West Middlesbrough Neighbourhood Trust (WMNT) to encourage the over 50s to live healthier, more active lives.

Linda Broadhead, chairwoman of WMNT, said: "We offer our heartfelt congratulations to Alice and hope she had a wonderful party with her friends at the Health Through Activity Group."

Carol Reynolds, development manager for RSVP, said: "Alice has been coming to the Health Through Activity Group for over two years now.

"We're looking forward to seeing her telegram from Her Majesty the Queen at our next session."

Mrs Boulter asked her family and friends to make donations to the Great North Air Ambulance instead of buying presents.