Vera Hobden celebrated her 100th birthday last Wednesday. DA5846P2VERA Hobden is nothing short of remarkable - even her doctor says so!

On Wednesday last week, Vera celebrated her 100th birthday with family and friends at her home in Manor Farm Road, Salisbury.

Originally from Kensington, in London, Vera met her late husband, John, at a friend's house.

The pair moved to Salisbury together to marry at St Thomas's Church in 1925.

Vera's husband and brother-in-law were in partnership and owned Wyndham Motors, in Castle Road.

John went off to France during the second world war, as part of the Officers' Emergency Reserve.

He returned to the motor industry when he came back to Salisbury and the couple continued to live at their house in Castle Road, which they had built for them when they married.

Vera moved to her current home when her husband died in 1967.

Although they never had any children, the pair had a busy social life and were keen golfers - both captains and members at High Post golf club and members at Ferndown - and won dozens of trophies between them over the years.

Vera stopped playing golf and took up bridge when John died and has always been a keen gardener. Until last December, she was still driving round Salisbury to get her weekly shopping and visit friends.

Vera said: "I had a lot of people round yesterday and it was unbelievable. You don't realise how many friends you've got spread all around the country and I got my telegram from the Queen.

"My motto is 'Never give up'. My mother lived until she was 100 and she came round here on her 100th birthday.

"I haven't given up yet!"