WHAT is the secret to reaching your 109th birthday? There isn’t one, according to the Verwood resident who celebrated her big day on Sunday.

Freda Stevens, who lives at Waypoints care home in Ringwood Road, was treated to an enjoyable day with her friends and family.

She is believed to be the 29th oldest living person in the United Kingdom, from data collected by website Oldest in Britain.

Staff at Waypoints put on a special event to mark the birthday with five generations of Freda’s family coming together at the care home on Sunday.

Granddaughter Carolyn Furber said: “The family all came together for her birthday.

“To celebrate your 109th birthday is a bit of a milestone.

“She got another card from the Queen, which is the sixth one she has received since her 100th birthday.

“I think she had a great time, although she does find a lot of commotion a little bit overwhelming now.

“Freda still loves spending time with people, including her two-year-old great, great granddaughter Aria.

“People ask her what is the secret to reaching 109, but she says there isn’t one, it just happened. She still enjoys the odd tipple.

“Others ask how does it feel to be 109 and she says “no different to how it felt at 108”.”

Freda was born on January 6, 1910 in Necton, Norfolk and was the ninth of 10 children.After Freda finished school and started working as a parlour maid, she went on holiday to Yorkshire for two months, which is where she met her husband Reg.

The couple moved to Bournemouth in 1962. Freda has one daughter, two granddaughters, four great grandchildren and one great, great granddaughter.

Lin Purandare, of Waypoints Verwood, said: “It was a brilliant event to celebrate Freda’s birthday. Staff popped in on their day off to see her. She always used to like going down to the library and is still very keen to keep up to date with current affairs.”