Staff at Kimberley House Nursing Home with Jane Powell, who has celebrated her 103rd birthday. From the left: Catering manager Julia Boyt, care assistants Tracie Stevens and Laura Bayley, matron Andrea Caudrelier, and sister Sabitri Gaire. CHOCOLATE and whisky are the secrets of a long life, according to Kimberley House Nursing Home resident Jane Powell, who was 103 years old last Thursday.

The former schoolteacher and miner's daughter has been at Kimberley for five years and is the oldest resident ever to stay at the home.

Jane, who was a schoolteacher in Wales and Marlborough before retiring to Salisbury, has led an eventful life.

She has some interesting stories to tell the nurses at Kimberley, including about how she helped many evacuees during World War II and when she arranged for schoolchildren to go to see the Queen's coronation.

Jane has visited her close family in South Africa on two occasions but perhaps her greatest claim to fame is that she was a guest at the first wedding of film actor David Niven.

Jane, who is still visited by her good friend Margaret, is well liked by nurses at the home, who all say she is a great character.

Matron Andrea Caudrelier said: "She still enjoys her whisky but you've got to be careful to put the right amount of water in it, otherwise she won't be afraid to let you know."

Jane will be continuing with the chocolate and whisky, in moderation, as it certainly does not seem to have done her any harm so far.