AN ANDOVER woman who has celebrated her 105th birthday says that secret to her long and happy life is a 'glass or two of sherry every day'.

Molly Higginbotham was born on May 2, 1919, as one of six children. Growing up next to the Brooklands Race Circuit, in Weybridge, she spent her time sitting on the bank, even starting a 'gang' with her siblings called the Batten Urchins as they slid down the circuit on bits of wood.

She began working at the Hawker Aircraft factory, following in her father's, and brothers' footsteps.

Molly's son John said: "On one occasion during an air fair, she was asked whether she would like to go up in a bi-plane.

READ MORE: Andover Carnival receives £2,000 grant from town council

Andover Advertiser: Molly Higginbotham with a glass of sherry

"The pilot gave her a parachute and said if anything goes wrong, jump out, count to three and pull the ripcord. My grandmother, who was looking for my mother was told she was up in the sky doing loop the loops."

During the Second World War, Molly was in charge of ensuring that the telephone switchboard was being manned. The factory was a major target for bombs during this time, as it manufactured the Hawker Hurricane fighter plane.

During a heavy air raid on September 13, 1942, the telephones were put out of action, with Molly being asked to run back into the flaming building, as an unexploded bomb had dropped, to switch the telephones to a working line.

"She did this without hesitation in spite of the great risk to her own life, because of the importance of keeping everything working," John added, recounting that she has a plaque to thank her for her bravery.

Molly later relocated to Andover after meeting George, an RAF pilot. George was captured in 1940 at Dunkirk, spending five years as a prisoner of war in the Stalag Luft 3, where the Great Escape took place.

SEE ALSO: Business owner celebrates becoming awards finalist after difficult year

John continued: "My father had been in a Spitfire Squadron, so it was always a bone of contention in the family as to which plane was best - the Hurricane or the Spitfire."

George and Molly married in 1948, before having three children together; John, born in 1951, and twin girls Jane and Mary born in 1953. The family travelled frequently before George was posted to RAF Andover, buying a house in Winchester Gardens.

The pair settled in the town, making many friends and gallons of homemade beer which was brought out to guests at various house parties.

George died in 1994 at the age of 80 from Alzheimer's, with Molly 'determined to look after him right to the end'. She moved to Yeovil in 2018.

John said his mum has a positive attitude at all times, a great Royalist who 'doesn't suffer fools'. He noted an affinity to horseracing, as she received a personalised birthday message from Jockey Frankie Dettori on her 100th birthday.