A woman who had to give up her scholarship to a grammar school to become a maid-servant in a house 100 miles away has celebrated her 100th birthday.

Rose Bann, of Norman Colyer Court, Ewell, enjoyed a party with family and friends on Saturday.

The great-great-grandmother has lived in Epsom all her life in different parts of the borough - South Street, Providence Place, Tonstall Road, Rowden Road, Gatley Avenue, and in a flat in Norman Colyer Court since 1988.

Her youngest son, Melvyn Bann, 67, from Worcester Park, said: "I have never ever seen her get angry in all my life.

"She is so laidback and nothing fazes her.

"That’s probably why she is the age she is.

"She still has her mind, she’s on the ball all the time."

Mr Bann said his mother won a place to attend grammar school but had to give it up to help the family earn money.

He said: "She did win a scholarship to go to a grammar school but her father decided she was old enough to work so she was sent into service in Bournemouth.

"In those days, the family was quite poor so it would bring money into the house.

"She didn’t like it and wrote to her mother and came back to Epsom."

Mrs Bann met her husband Harry Bann, who had moved to Epsom from Wales to be in service in a house in Dorking Road, Epsom, as they both attended Epsom Methodist Church.

They married in 1935 and had five sons - Harry, known as "Jim"; Michael; David; Ronald and Melvyn.

Having worked in the building trade and as a postman at Chessington post office, Harry Bann died 41 years ago.

Mr Bann said his mother worked at Woodcote Laundry after returning to Epsom after leaving service and then in a plant nursery until her retirement in her 70s.

In the last 30 years, she has enjoyed trips around the country and abroad with her sons.