Great grandma celebrates 100th birthday at Storrs Hall in Windermere

Diane Berthe Barber celebrated her 100th birthday alongside her loved ones at Storrs Hall in Windermere.

Born in Ostend, Belgium, Diane was considered unlikely to survive after arriving three months premature on June 24, 1923. However, the tiny tot defied the odds and survived.

Not only that, Diane battled peritonitis at a young age and lived through the German occupation of her homeland during World War Two.

She completed her teacher-training accompanied by armed soldiers on the daily train to Bruges.

The day after VE Day she met and fell in love with a sailor Alan, captain of a naval vessel, docked in Ostend, who was out celebrating on that day.

The pair married in England in 1950 and Diane become the wife of a Methodist Minister for more than 40 years.

They had three daughters: Anne, Hilde and Jeanne in three consecutive ministerial placements until, when they moved again, Diane declared it was enough and their family was complete.

Alan died in 1994 and Diane continued to live a fruitful and joyous retirement in Kendal where her youngest daughter Jeanne lives.

The family said Jeanne is a great help to enable Diane to live as independently as possible in her own home.

Diane survived the Covid pandemic unscathed and was determined to 'stay at home to protect people'.

Diane still goes each Sunday to the Methodist Church at Sandylands.

She celebrated her 100th birthday at Storrs Hall together with her complete family of daughters and their husbands, the six grandchildren, their partners and eight great-grandchildren.

One of her grandchildren even travelled from Canada with her partner to celebrate together.

Her family said: "It was a memorable occasion and one of the highlights had to be the card received from the King and Queen."

And Diane revealed the secret to living such a long and fulfilling live: "You just keep going."

Along with a healthy lifestyle and plenty of walking she has done just that, her family said.