A POOLE woman has celebrated her milestone 100th birthday - by working out at the exercise class she STILL visits regularly after 45 years.

Members of the over 50s class, which meets weekly at St John’s Church Hall, Macauley Road, Broadstone, helped Maisie Wickens mark her big day with a gathering after Wednesday’s session.

Maisie, who was born and bred in East London before moving to the south coast, told the Daily Echo how she attended her first exercise class aged four.

“Then, when I moved down here as an adult I joined about 30 different classes and clubs,” she said. “I thought it was important to keep up with the keep fit.”

And Maisie’s exercise regime certainly speaks volumes about the benefits of keeping active.

The centenarian, a great-grandmother, fully participates in workouts that include exercises with resistance bands and hand weights.

She said: “We were always very active, well you had to be because there was hardly any transport to get around London during the blitz.

“I remember walking across bomb sites just to get to work.”

Maisie, who met her husband at the Herbert School of Dancing, London, never regrets moving to the south.

“I’ve had an amazing life, such a happy life,” she said.

“I’ve met such wonderful friends.

“What is the secret to a long life? Just be happy, and avoid having rows with people.”

Exercise instructor Joan Harrison has nothing but praise for Maisie. “She joins in, she really works hard, She gives it her all,” said Joan. Meanwhile, Penny Simmonds, who helps with the exercise class organisation, told the Daily Echo: “She (Maisie) follows the directions really well, better than some of the younger ones do”