SHE IS the Hampshire lady who is turning 100 today - but this is only her 25th birthday.

In real years Vera will be 100, but because her birthday falls on February 29, it is only the 25th birthday she has celebrated on the day.

Vera was born in Romsey on February 29, 1920 at Lansdown Nurseries with her family, where her father worked.

In 1927 they moved to Bartley where her father took over the management of Bartley Nurseries.

She went to Cadnam Infant School and then on to Totton High School.

After leaving school, she worked at the nursery for a while then moved on to work at New Forest Stores in Cadnam until April 1937.

She then went on to work in the International Stores in Totton where she met her future husband Harold Blundell.

The former Romsey resident even worked throughout the Second World War.

Vera cycled through the daylight bombing to work in Edwin Jones, later Debenhams, in Southampton.

Vera and Harold married in June 1941 and 16 months later saw the arrival of their first child, Colyn.

They went on to have two daughters Lynda and Marian.

During this time, Harold took on the family business, a fruit and veg shop in Totton.

This later became a florist which became Blundell Florist, in which Vera played a vital role as a florist herself.

They developed the business over the years opening a further shop in the town.

They both finally retired in 1989 when the business was taken on by their two daughters.

Blundell Florist traded for eighty years under the Blundell family and was sold in 2007.

Vera and Harold were together for 58 years until Harold’s death in 1999.

The former florist has enjoyed a long and active life and has five grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

She previously said her secret to a long life is "health and luck”.

Vera's daughter, Marian, said she will celebrate her birthday with a party.

Vera isn't the only person turning 100 today, as Helen Preston, who was born in Heswall, Merseyside is also celebrating her 25th official birthday.