A former editor of a local newspaper in Zimbabwe will be joined by friends and family from across the world to celebrate her 100th birthday.

Mary Read will reach the milestone on January 29 and is set to celebrate in style at a party at the Broadway Hotel in Letchworth GC on February 2.

Mary, who was born in Lancashire in 1913, moved to Kadoma, Zimbabwe, in 1924 where she lived for 80 years.

The city is linked with Stevenage and Mary has been an active volunteer in fundraising and raising the profile of the Stevenage Kadoma Link Association since she moved back to the country in 2004.

Whilst in Zimbabwe, Mary met her husband Joe and married him in September 1929. Joe passed away in 1990.

The keen sportswoman, who now lives with her granddaughter, Catherine Jennings, in Letchworth GC, said: “Life has been very kind to me. I had four amazing sons who gave me great joy, a very happy marriage and I am lucky to be looked after now by my entire family.”

By her own admission Mary does not like to be called old. She said the secret to her 100 years has been to “have a bowl of All-Bran each morning, keeping fit, and having a positive outlook.

Mary, who has a Facebook account and Skypes family and friends abroad, said she is in “no hurry to go as life is so interesting.”