A GREAT-great-grandmother who is the “focal point of the family” has celebrated her 106th birthday.

In the running for Andover’s oldest resident, Florence Cross was joined by family on Saturday to celebrate her milestone birthday which was on January 9.

Crammed into her room at Mountwood Care Home, in Millway Road, the clan showered Florence in flowers, cards and a photo book of family pictures from across the years.

The avid Daily Mirror reader’s likely “key to survival” is the sheer amount of tea she drinks daily, according to grandson Andy McCray.

Andy said: “The journey she’s been on throughout her life is almost infallible, she’s an incredible, inspirational woman.

“All the stuff she’s done for me, my sister and my brother over the last 70 years have been amazing.

“Without her the family, may have broken apart. She’s the glue that kept us together, we’d all congregate at grandma’s house for a cup of tea.”

Florence grew up in Yorkshire before going on an adventure with the army to London, joining the Women’s Army Corp as the Second World War broke out.

Stationed at Wormwood Scrubs during the blitz, Florence was a sergeant in the catering corps, cooking and camping out with the troops on home territory.

She went on to marry her husband Jack and have two children, Jill and Jack.

Florence is also a “massive dog lover” having had eight Dachshunds throughout her life. She also loves flowers, gardening and current affairs.

The former guest house owner lived with Jill’s family for around 20 years and played an “active and helpful” part in bringing up grandchildren Andy, Luke and Beccy.

She then lived in supported accommodation in Adelaide Road until the age of 102.

The great grandmother-of-23 proudly displays three birthday cards from the Queen on her mantlepiece.

n The family is keen to find out whether Florence is Andover's oldest person. Email newsdesk@andoveradvertiser.co.uk if you can help shed some light.