A "formidable lady" is celebrating her 100th birthday today with her sister and nephews.

Charmian Crabtree is spending the day at her home in Green Lane, Chislehurst where she has lived for the last 12 years with her sister Evelyn.

Her nephew Peter Weir told News Shopper: "She is quite a formidable lady. She has been mugged twice and was injured during a hit and run when she was thrown against an iron railing and has suffered bad legs ever since.

"She was also bombed in The Blitz so she is pretty resilient!"

Ms Crabtree never married and has suffered dementia for years.

She worked on the communication exchanges during the Second World War before working for the Norwegian embassy for 40 years.

Speaking about the birthday celebration, Peter said: "She is bed ridden a lot of time and has carers come in. She doesn't know much about it but my brother and I will go to my mum's house and do a little celebration."

He added that his aunt was an "eccentric" character.

Peter said: "She lived alone for 50 odd years in Streatham and was very good to our children when they were younger."