Cotman House resident Violet Connell – who is known to everyone as Peach - celebrated her 100th birthday at the Felixstowe home this week.

Peach, who has been a resident at the home since 2014, says she doesn't have a secret to longevity, but added it could have something to do with "loving your family".

A Suffolk girl, Peach was born in Ipswich in November 1921 and lived there for most of her life. On leaving school she worked as a bookbinder at Cowells in Ipswich and during the war worked at the munitions factory in Stowmarket making bomb trolleys. During the 1960s she worked as a librarian in Ipswich.

Peach met her husband on a blind date in the early part of World War II. They had two children, who are now living in Felixstowe and Yorkshire, as well as three grandsons and five great grandchildren all living locally.

Cotman House Home Manager Rebecca Bewley said: "Peach is very proud of all her family. She was an excellent cook passing on her expertise and interest to her children.

"She also took up creative embroidery making beautiful vestments for St Thomas Church in Ipswich and contributing to the Ipswich Charter Hangings which were commissioned to celebrate the 800th anniversary of the granting of the Royal Charter to Ipswich.

"Now it's family visits and TV that she loves. Peach likes Corrie, Strictly and all the quiz programmes. She likes sausage rolls and a pudding called Felixstowe tart."

Peach is also a keen supporter of Ipswich Town Football Club where her grandson is the grounds manager and she loves to hear about her great grandchildrens' junior football games and achievements.

Rebecca added: "We had a very special 100th birthday for the fantastic Peach. With a lot of work with the health and safety executive and our clinical director and were delighted that we were able to have a full family celebration, safely, in our home. It was wonderful."

Cotman House is rated Good by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and offers residential and dementia care. Each bedroom has ensuite facilities and is bright and spacious.

Living at Cotman House provides first-class facilities with exciting activities and plenty of places to relax or entertain. The home is open for admissions, managing visits and routinely testing everyone.